Gautam Gambhir on Sanju Samson: T20 World Cup 2026 is over now. India became its champion. Sanju Samson played a big role in making India the champion, who was also chosen as the Player of the Tournament. This is the same Samson who was kept out of the team in the initial matches. He remained out of 4 out of 9 matches played by India in the T20 World Cup 2026. These matches were four of the first 5 matches played in the tournament. Samson got a chance to play only in the second match against Namibia, after which he was kept on the bench. But, what happened then that Gambhir had to include Samson in the team?
Why did you suddenly bring Samson into the team?
In an interview given to Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir explained the reason behind including Sanju Samson in the team’s playing eleven. He told that the reason behind this was not to handle the off-spinner. Rather, more power was to be brought into the team’s batting line up. It had to be made more explosive. Gambhir said that I knew Sanju could do this work well. I had faith in that ability. Gambhir further said that the team’s philosophy was to make a fast start in the powerplay, which was a major reason for bringing Sanju.
The reason is to make batting explosive
Gautam Gambhir also said that many people felt that we brought Sanju Samson because he was a left-hander in the top order of the team. But, this is wrong. This was not our thinking at all. We played Samson because we wanted to make our batting more explosive. Gautam Gambhir also told that he had told Sanju Samson in the gym that he was playing in the next match. Sanju also said that he is ready.
Backing the talent.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir explains how Sanju Samson strengthens the top order and helps India attack in the powerplay.
#T20WorldCup #INDvNZ #Champions pic.twitter.com/6Q3TjlP1nN
тАФ Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 9, 2026
Samson was fielded in the last match of Super-8
Team India was unbeaten in the group stage of T20 World Cup 2026. He had won all his four matches. But in the very first match of the Super-8 of the tournament, it suffered a big defeat against South Africa. That defeat had tarnished his hopes of reaching the semi-finals. In such a situation, it became necessary for India to win the Super-8 match against West Indies. That was the match in which Gambhir decided to open with Samson and play Ishan Kishan at number 3.
Sanju Samson dominates in semi-finals and finals also
Team India’s move to get Samson to open started. The result was that Samson not only became the hero of the same match but after that he also made Team India win the semi-final and final. He scored 97*, 89 and 89 in these three matches. In this way, he was also India’s most successful batsman in the T20 World Cup 2026.