Sanju Samson will experience his first World Cup final on Sunday when India take on New Zealand in Ahmedabad. India’s run to the final as defending champions has owed much to Samson’s form, with the batter earning the Player-of-the-Match award in back-to-back games. He first produced an unbeaten 97 against West Indies last Sunday and followed it with an aggressive 89 against England in Thursday’s semi-final.
“It means one of the best moments in my life,” Samson said about the World Cup final on March 8 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad. “I’m very grateful for that. I have been playing this format for a very long time. I played around 300 or 400 T20s (328). I played from one to six (in the batting order). I have captained the [IPL] franchise [Rajasthan Royals]. So I have the experience of knowing what does a team demand at the moment and what is my exact role in this XI. So that clarity definitely helps you to score runs the way you want to.”
Adjusting to Different Match Situations
Samson’s innings against West Indies came during a chase that tightened towards the end, where he remained at the crease to guide India home. The semi-final against England presented a different challenge. Batting first on what he described as a “true” surface at Wankhede, Samson and opening partner Abhishek Sharma quickly sensed that a score around 250 was necessary.
“Last match was all about taking the team along,” Samson said. “As soon as we built momentum, wickets were falling. So I had to finish it until the last ball, but this game was completely different. When you are batting first in Wankhede, you know no score is enough here. So, after I got a start, I wanted to capitalise and hit as many sixes and fours as possible.”
Powerplay Approach Key to India’s Strategy
India’s top order, including Abhishek Sharma, Samson and Ishan Kishan, has adopted an aggressive approach in the powerplay. Samson explained that the early overs often determine the outcome of matches in the format.
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“The game is won and lost in the powerplay,” he said. “So once you have seen three or four balls, you start to attack like Abhishek has been doing, like how Ishan and myself are doing. So the job of the top three is exploding in the powerplay. Sometimes you end on the negative side of the result and sometimes you win. But you can’t change the character or the gameplan because we are batting till No. 8. So you play according to what the team wants and, if it is your day, carry the team, otherwise, support the others.”
Overcoming a Difficult Phase
Although Samson is now close to winning a World Cup medal, the past six months have not been straightforward. After a dip in form during the Asia Cup, he was moved down the order amid concerns about his technique. His place in the World Cup squad was also uncertain following struggles in the home T20I series against New Zealand.
At the start of the tournament, Kishan opened alongside Abhishek Sharma before team management decided to promote Samson to the opening role and move Kishan to No. 3 to provide balance while Abhishek worked through a challenging run.
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Samson described that period as a demanding phase.
“I definitely wanted to come and do what I’m trying to do now for the country, wanted to win games in the World Cup, but I was trying a bit too much in the New Zealand series,” he said. “I wanted to make an impact and get into the XI of the World Cup here, but you know this format – this (T20) cricket can get very funny. Even the best in the world actually struggle to score runs in this format. So I had to respect the game. I had to work a bit more on my basics.”
“When hard times were coming, I think my close people, the people who I love, who I support, they were with me. I closed all my windows. I shut down my phone. I was not on social media. I’m still not on social media so less noise, less people interacting with me. That really helped me to focus on the right direction and I’m very happy how I’m going.”
Keeping Things Simple
Known for his relaxed personality, Samson often brings a light atmosphere to the team environment. When a journalist suggested he had missed the chance to score two centuries in the last two games, Samson responded with humour.
“Bhai, I did not miss two centuries. I have made 97 and 89 – it is a very big thing.”
“I have been unlucky in the past at times, but sometimes luck also works in your favour once in a while,” he said. “I was very fortunate that I have got this opportunity so let me grasp it now. It was a ball to be hit, I hit. The catch was dropped. No worries. Next time I will hit a bit harder. You keep it very simple and your mind is always processing how to hit the bowlers, which areas to hit at.”
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With India now one win away from the title, Samson heads into the final looking to continue the form that has helped carry the team to the last match of the tournament.
