Sanju Samson, T20 World Cup 2026: Sanju Samson’s explosive unbeaten inning of 97 runs not only took Team India to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026, but also proved an old prediction of Gautam Gambhir in the cricket world true. While chasing the target of 196 runs against West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Samson did this feat with the help of 12 fours and 4 sixes in 50 balls, which was the biggest reason for India’s victory. Seeing this innings, the fans remembered Gambhir’s statement which he had given years ago.
Gambhir’s prediction for 2020 came true
In the year 2020, when Samson was playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and played a brilliant innings in a match, Gautam Gambhir had said that Sanju Samson is not only India’s best wicketkeeper-batsman, but also the most talented young batsman. Gambhir had said, ‘Sanju Samson is the best young batsman of India, and if he is not able to play for India, it will not be Sanju’s loss but India’s loss.’ He also hoped that Sanju should get constant opportunities and support like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, because he can become one of the best batsmen in the world.
This statement was much talked about at that time, because Samson was not getting consistent opportunities and was often out of the team. But Gambhir had expressed full confidence in his talent. Today the situation is interesting, Gautam Gambhir himself is the head coach of Team India and Samson performed exactly as Gambhir had said years ago. After the match, Gambhir praised Samson in the press conference and said that he always knew that Sanju would shine on the big occasion. He said, ‘He is a world class player. He showed his potential on the day the team needed it most. Hopefully this is their time to kick off, there are still two more matches left. We always knew about Sanju’s talent.
Sanju Samson did something like Gambhir
Even though Sanju Samson fell 3 runs away from his century, this innings will always be remembered, just like Gautam Gambhir’s 2011 World Cup final innings is remembered. Gambhir also played a memorable inning of 97 runs in the final of the 2011 World Cup. Now his disciple Sanju Samson filled coach Gambhir’s heart with pride by playing the exact same innings. Both of them chasing on big occasions scored 97 runs and took the team on the path to victory.
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