Former India captain Kris Srikkanth hailed Sanju Samson for his incredible match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight clash against the West Indies in Kolkata. In a win-or-go-home outing, the right-hander smashed a breathtaking 97* off 50 deliveries to help India chase down 196 in the final over.
Samson was the first Indian cricketer other than Virat Kohli to win the Player of the Match award in a run-chase of over 160 in a T20 World Cup game. The Kerala batter struck 12 boundaries and four maximums in his clutch knock, helping India advance to the semifinal.
Talking about Samson’s heroic effort on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said (2:27):
“It was one of the greatest chases by one batter. I’ve not seen a knock like this of late. God has designed everything for you. From somewhere, everything is aligning perfectly for him. Ultimately, God has been behind you. I’ve seen Virat Kohli’s knock against Pakistan in Melbourne but I’ve not seen a knock like this in a run chase. To eclipse Virat Kohli is a big thing.”
Srikkanth continued praising Samson for the ease he showcased under immense pressure, saying:
“Sanju made things look very easy. He intentionally did not play a single cross-batted shot. He was keeping calm and had so much time to play his shots. It was a crunch game for India and himself, having scored only in the 20s in the last two games. It was not only a must-win game for India but also a must-score game for him. He has the nerves of steel to produce such a knock in a must-win and must-score game.”
“It needs a certain type of resolve. He never looked ruffled, and his body language never looked like someone chasing a massive score. He dominated all the partnerships. To be so calm when the whole world is watching, and take up the responsibility to deliver, Sanju was incredible. Sanju Samson almost made it a one-sided affair. No Indian will ever forget this knock in their lives.”
Samson was dropped from the 11 at the start of the ongoing T20 World Cup, with India opening the batting with Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. However, the former retained his spot at the top with Abhishek and Kishan still in the lineup from India’s previous game against Zimbabwe.
“He has now cemented his place as an opener” – Kris Srikkanth on the impact of Sanju Samson’s knock
Kris Srikkanth believes the knock against the West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal has all but sealed Sanju Samson as India’s T20I opener moving forward. The former opener also claims such a heroic effort will inspire more cricketers to emerge from Kerala.
“He has now cemented his place as an opener. We kept thinking if Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan don’t score, India doesn’t have anyone for the opening position. But God has helped Sanju a lot. The way everything went around and came back to him, the heavens have opened up for him. This knock will create more cricketers from Kerala. This was the spark needed. He has inspired that small state,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
Meanwhile, the win over the West Indies has set up a semifinal clash against England for Team India in Mumbai on March 5.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
