Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has been a longtime fan of Sanju Samsonwho recently bagged the Player of the Tournament award as India won a record third T20 World Cup title. Reflecting on the rise of the wicketkeeper-batsman, Tharoor had told a young Samson that he could be the next player. MS Dhoni.“I feel immensely proud. I first met him when he was 14 years old, a young club cricketer with a big smile and immense talent, already excelling in both wicket-keeping and batting. DhoniTharoor said.However, former Indian cricketer… Gautam Gambhir The latter advises Tharoor that Samson does not need to imitate anyone else and will make his own way. Gambhir, even before he became India’s head coach, was a constant supporter of Samson. In 2020, he called him “not only India’s best wicket-keeper batsman, but India’s best young batsman”.“Years later, Gambhir corrected me, saying he didn’t need to be the next Dhoni; he would be the one and only Sanju Samson – and that’s exactly what he has become,” Tharoor added.Dhoni remains the benchmark for wicketkeeper batsmen, winning all three major ICC White Ball trophies before becoming India’s best middle-order finisher and captain as a big-hitting top-order batsman on the international stage.Samson, meanwhile, struggled with form in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup and was benched even before returning for the crucial Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe. He then followed that performance with three consecutive half-centuries: 97* against the West Indies, 89 against England, and 89 against New Zealand in the final, steadily propelling India’s innings and guiding the defense of the title.“He has been a resounding success – quiet, unassuming, unassuming, and an effective leader,” Tharoor said. “He has led. Rajasthan Royals Very well over the years and brought stability to India’s top order. Even during his difficult phases, I always felt that if he composed himself, his fundamental abilities would shine through.Recalling Samson’s semi-final and final displays, Tharoor added, “In both matches, he reached 89 before being dismissed while playing selfless big shots for the team. He could have played conservatively, but he chose to go fast, showing the selfless, talented and dedicated nature of Sanju Samson.”
Break Sanju Samson’s record T20 World Cup 2026 campaign
Sanju Samson’s brilliant campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 has rewritten the record books. In just five innings he scored 321 runs, breaking Virat KohliIn the 2014 T20 World Cup, he held the long-standing record for most runs in a T20 World Cup by an Indian with 319 runs, and set a new standard for most sixes in a World Cup with 24.Samson also broke several other records including most runs for India in consecutive innings, most runs in T20 World Cup knockout matches, and highest scores for India in a T20 World Cup final and in a chase. His power hitting, composure under pressure, and match-winning instincts made him the standout performer of the tournament. With these feats, Samson not only helped India win their third T20 World Cup title but also added himself to the elite of T20 cricket legends.
