Sanju Samson is relieved to have produced two superlative innings to carry India into the final of the T20 World Cup, but he is not done yet and aims to play another match-winning knock to help India win the trophy for a record third time.
Samson, who had lost his spot in the Indian team due to lack of runs not long ago, has come back roaring with scores of 97 not out in a virtual knockout against the West Indies, followed by 89 against England in the semifinal, especially when Abhishek Sharma is going through a lean patch.
Samson said that while he is grateful, his toil must help defending champions India lift yet another title with a win over New Zealand in the summit clash on Sunday in Ahmedabad. “It feels really great or relieved that I have been actually, from (a) few years, trying to do something like this for my country,” Samson told reporters after India beat England by seven runs in the second semifinal on Thursday night.
“I was just waiting with lot of patience, lot of inner work, lot of training, lot of practice. Definitely, I should be very grateful, but I feel that we have one more step to go. If we do that, then I think all the work, everything, was worth it. …that one more innings should be really good.” Samson bludgeoned seven sixes and eight fours to make 89 off only 42 balls to provide India the momentum as they notched up the highest-ever score of 253/7 in a T20 World Cup knockout match.
The right-handed batter credited his 97 not out against the West Indies in Kolkata for providing the momentum and said it was important to continue with his form.
“The last innings definitely played a good role in this innings. I was timing the ball really well and taking good decisions. I thought ‘if you are in form, you should definitely contribute for your team in this game as well’,” he said.
“It means really one of the best moments in my life,” he said on the prospect of playing the final after sitting out in the summit clash of 2024. Once again, Samson credited his experience of playing a lot of T20 matches, including in the IPL, for the maturity that he brings to his game.
“I have been playing this format for a very long time. I must have played around 300 or 400 T20s, so I have played from number one to six. I have also captained a franchise. So, I have the experience of knowing what a team demands at the moment and what my exact role is at this level. That clarity definitely helps you score runs the way you want to,” Samson said.
Also read: India topple England, march into T20 WC final
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