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Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson experienced a tumultuous path, transitioning from being sidelined at the beginning of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 to ultimately earning the Player of the Tournament title. He shared insights about the highs and lows of his career, particularly highlighting the New Zealand series that preceded the World Cup.

Samson recounted how Rohit Sharma encouraged him before the match against the USA, suggesting that he might still have a chance later in the tournament. Initially, Samson struggled to accept Sharma's words, feeling disheartened after a disappointing performance in the New Zealand series. It took him several days to process this setback and regain his focus.

During this challenging time, Samson engaged in deep self-reflection, questioning his motivations for playing cricket. This introspective period allowed him to mentally reset and eventually rediscover his rhythm. Rohit had reassured him, saying, "Don't be disheartened. It is a long tournament. The opportunity can come at any moment."

Samson candidly admitted, "To be honest, I didn't believe him at that time. I might have seemed off that day. Our World Cup campaign began just two days after the New Zealand series, and I typically need about a week to recover from such disappointments." He expressed that he doesn't like to hide his feelings, which was evident during that tough phase.

Samson utilized this difficult phase as a chance for self-improvement, focusing on enhancing his mental resilience. He stated, "I began to ask myself why I play cricket and what my purpose is. It felt like I was rediscovering myself while the World Cup was ongoing, and eventually, everything fell back into place."

Samson's journey culminated in one of the most extraordinary comebacks in T20 World Cup history, where he played a pivotal role in India's championship victory on home soil and secured the Player of the Tournament accolade.

After initially being excluded from the playing XI due to a poor run of form, he fought his way back into the team, becoming India's top run-scorer and the third-highest overall in the tournament. He scored 321 runs in just five innings, boasting an impressive average of 80.25 and a remarkable strike rate of 199.37. Additionally, his 24 sixes set a new record for the most by any player in a single T20 World Cup edition.