NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson, named Player of the Tournament in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, has opened up about his remarkable journey following India’s historic title triumph. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter played a pivotal role in India's victorious campaign, amassing 321 runs in just five innings at an astonishing average of 80.25 and a strike rate nearing 200. His explosive knocks were instrumental as India clinched the championship by defeating New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Deep Bond with Gautam Gambhir

In a heartfelt media interaction in Thiruvananthapuram, Samson reflected on his long-standing relationship with India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Their connection dates back to Samson’s early days with the Kolkata Knight Riders, where Gambhir was the captain.

"Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) and I have a very old relationship. I think I met him when I was in KKR. He was the captain of the team and he also lives in Delhi. I also played in the same academy where he was... so it's a very long relationship and what has happened from there till now, I think cannot be expressed in words,"

Samson said, speaking to PTI.

Breaking Records and Receiving Tendulkar’s Blessing

Samson’s stellar performance not only earned him the Player of the Tournament honor but also saw him surpass Virat Kohli’s record of 319 runs in a single T20 World Cup edition — a record Kohli had set in 2014. His consistent brilliance under pressure was key to India’s success throughout the Super Eight stage and into the final.

The 31-year-old revealed he was deeply moved after receiving a personal message from cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.

"I got a message from Sachin, sir. It was a very emotional message for me,"

he shared, highlighting the significance of the gesture from one of the game’s greatest icons.

India’s Historic Achievement

India’s 2026 T20 World Cup victory etched its place in history as the national team became the first to win three titles in the format and the first to successfully defend the trophy on home soil. The triumph has been hailed as a defining moment in Indian cricket, with BCCI President Jay Shah referring to the period from 2019 to 2026 as the 'golden era' of Indian cricket.

Personal Triumph and Inspirational Message

Samson described his resurgence in the tournament as one of the most memorable phases of his career. After enduring phases of inconsistency and being benched in earlier fixtures, he seized the moment when it mattered most — delivering match-winning performances against top teams like the West Indies.

"I never wanted to be selfless. I've always wanted to be myself. So I bring a lot of different qualities, a lot of strengths, a lot of weaknesses. I like to look at cricket as a team sport. So I think we play to win. And looking at what things have happened in my life lately, I definitely carry a lot of dreams with me. So a lot of youngsters, a lot of people, not even in cricket, a lot of people in different careers, they look at me like their own careers, like their own life,"

Samson concluded, emphasizing his journey as a source of inspiration beyond the cricket field.