The Long Road To 'Always': How Sanju Samson Became India’s Ultimate Choice In T20Is

For years, Sanju Samson was referred to as a cricketer who would certainly make it big in the international circuit. Making a name for himself in the Indian Premier League in his early years, the young prodigy was regarded as someone who could help India achieve great heights in T20I Cricket.

The Shadow of the Greats

For the last ten years, Samson's career was characterised by the baggage he bore: the label of "Inconsistency." While his contemporaries were amassing impressive runs, Samson was more like a montage of moments. He would execute a stunning back-foot punch that froze time, only to follow it up with a soft dismissal that left fans disappointed. Despite having an average of close to 50 during this time, Samson was never considered a serious option in the white-ball format.

What changed post T20 World Cup 2022

India was playing old-school cricket in T20Is till they suffered a crunch defeat in the T20 WC 2022 semis against England. The selectors made a radical choice of 'resting' the old guard, such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, in the T20Is. Samson found a new lease of life in his career, as he became a regular for India in T20I cricket.

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However, by the end of 2025, after struggling against New Zealand in the bilaterals, it seemed the cycle was repeating itself. Suddenly, He found himself on the bench at the beginning of the 2026 T20 World Cup, serving drinks while the younger players seized their opportunities. However, this time things were different. 

The 10-Day Silence

Sanju’s redemption didn't start at Eden Gardens; it started in a 10-day gap where he switched off his phone and vanished from social media.

 

 

 

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"Our human nature is that we often start from a negative thought like, 'Can I do it? I don't think I can.' When I have that thought, I try to alter it with a very positive one. When I had a series like New Zealand where I wanted to perform and be part of the World Cup team, things did not work out well, but luckily I got a 10-day gap. I did not play any games and was not in the side. I kept thinking, 'Sanju, what else? Why didn't it work? What else should I do?' So I did some soul-searching. I worked on my base, how I set myself up, and came back to it," Sanju Samson said.

Samson said that he switched off his phone and his social media and listened to his own self to help himself overcome the slump in form.

"A lot of people had suggestions and I saw a lot of valid points, but at the same time I felt, 'Sanju, you have scored three international hundreds with the same setup.' Shot selection was something I kept working on. I did not want to change too much because I knew I had performed with the same setup, so I kept believing in myself, switched off my phone, switched off social media and listened to my own self. I am very happy it happened in a very special game," he added.

The Night in Kolkata And Arrival Of Chetta

In a crucial virtual quarter-final against the West Indies, India found themselves struggling at 41/2. The tension was palpable. In earlier situations, Samson may have opted for a risky "hero shot." This time, however, viewers witnessed a calm and collected Samson. He embodied Dhoni's serenity and Kohli's strategic thinking.

 

 

 

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Instead of overpowering the ball, he focused on timing. His unbeaten score of 97* from 50 balls marked the highest individual score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup chase, eclipsing even Virat Kohli’s iconic 82* against Pakistan. As he hit the winning runs and fell to his knees, it was not merely the joy of victory; it symbolised the release of a decade's worth of burdens.

From 'Luxury' to 'Blueprint'

Today, as India prepares for the semi-final against England at the Wankhede, the conversation has shifted. Sanju Samson is no longer the "backup option" or the "fan favorite." He is the anchor.

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With 3 T20I centuries and a newfound ability to shepherd a chase, he has mastered the hardest transition in sport: turning raw, erratic genius into reliable, world-class output. Captain Suryakumar Yadav put it best: "Good things happen to good people who wait."

 

 

 

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The wait is over. Sanju Samson isn't just here; he's always been here. We’re just finally seeing him clearly.