Having fallen just short of centuries in two consecutive knockout matches, Sanju Samson is refusing to dwell on what might have been. The India opener insists his match-winning contributions tell the only story worth telling.
In the space of just a few days, Sanju Samson has delivered two innings of rare quality under the fiercest of pressures. He struck an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in what amounted to a quarter-final, then followed it up with a blistering 89 off 42 balls against England in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium — each knock earning him the man of the match award and, more importantly, carrying India into the final.
Speaking candidly at a post-match press conference, Samson wasted little time in reframing the narrative around his two near-misses.
“I didn’t lose two centuries. I scored 97 and 89, that’s a huge achievement!”
It was a response that spoke volumes about his mindset: a man far more interested in what he gave his team than what the scoreboard withheld from him personally.
The semi-final against England was a tense, gripping contest from the outset. Chasing a stiff target, India needed a strong start, and Samson provided exactly that — until he was dismissed attempting a six with seven overs still remaining. Despite his departure, the 89 he had scored proved sufficient foundation for India to win by seven runs and seal their place in the final.
On the question of whether he was frustrated at falling short of three figures, Samson was measured and philosophical.
“Not at all. You can’t force a century in T20 cricket. This isn’t Test or ODI cricket, where you have time to build an innings. You bat, you run, and you do your best. That’s it.”
Samson’s innings might easily have been cut short before it truly began. England captain Harry Brook spilled a straightforward chance at mid-on when the batsman had made only 15. It was a costly error, and Samson was quick to acknowledge his good fortune — before making clear he had no intention of wasting it.
“I’ve had my share of bad luck in the past, but sometimes fortune is on your side. I was lucky to get that opportunity, and I made the most of it. The ball came to me, I hit it, it stuck. No problems — next time I’ll hit even harder.”
One of the more striking aspects of Samson’s recent performances has been his ability to translate confidence from one knockout fixture to the next — no mean feat when the pressure is as intense as it gets in international cricket. He was candid about the mental approach that has underpinned both innings.
“I was aware my form from the previous match would be my ally. In big games for the country, it’s rare to hit your stride immediately, so I gave myself time to settle and build my innings. My preparation was solid, and everything clicked.”
He was also generous in acknowledging England’s performance, recognising that victory was hard-earned rather than handed to India.
“We’ve played many matches at Wankhede and know no score is ever enough. England batted brilliantly. This was a fantastic semi-final and a well-fought match from both sides.”
