Sanju Samson Reveals How Rohit Sharma’s Advice Changed His T20 World Cup Journey

Dropped at the start of the tournament, Sanju Samson says Rohit Sharma's words helped him stay prepared before scripting a remarkable comeback.

New Delhi: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has reflected on the emotional journey that saw him go from being left out of India’s playing XI at the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to emerging as the tournament’s Player of the Tournament.

Speaking about the difficult phase leading into the World Cup, Samson admitted he struggled to cope after an underwhelming series against New Zealand. The disappointment affected him deeply, making it difficult to regain confidence in the initial days of India’s World Cup campaign.

The Kerala cricketer recalled that India captain Rohit Sharma encouraged him not to lose hope, assuring him that opportunities could arise at any stage of a long tournament. However, Samson admitted that he was unable to believe those words at the time, as he was still dealing with the frustration of missing out.

According to Samson, he needed several days to recover mentally before shifting his focus back to cricket. Instead of dwelling on the setback, he began reflecting on his purpose as a cricketer and worked on strengthening his mindset. That period of self-introspection helped him rebuild his confidence and prepare himself for the opportunity whenever it arrived.

His patience eventually paid off as he returned to the playing XI and delivered match-winning performances throughout the tournament. Samson finished as India’s highest run-scorer in the competition, scoring 321 runs in five innings at an outstanding average of 80.25 and a remarkable strike rate of 199.37.

The wicketkeeper-batter also smashed 24 sixes, setting a new record for the most sixes by any player in a single edition of the T20 World Cup. His performances played a crucial role in India’s successful title campaign on home soil and earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament award.

Samson’s journey from disappointment to triumph has since been hailed as one of the most inspiring comeback stories in T20 World Cup history, highlighting the importance of resilience, self-belief and staying prepared for every opportunity.