Sanju Samson is congratulated by head coach Gautam Gambhir. (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed that Sanju Samson’s match-defining 97 against West Indies proved to be the turning point in India’s triumphant campaign in the 2026 Men’s World T20 Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!India sealed their third title at the tournament after defeating New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad, capping off a memorable campaign on home soil. Reflecting on the trip, Gambhir said Samson’s knock during the thrilling chase against West Indies changed the momentum of the entire tournament for India.
Suryakumar Yadav made a spectacular comeback after India’s victory in the T20 World Cup
“It’s very hard to say, but I still believe Sanju’s 97 against West Indies was the turning point of this campaign. It was a virtual quarter-final. Chasing 195 in a World Cup game is never easy, no matter the terrain,” Gambhir said on JioStar.
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According to the former opener, Samson’s calm and controlled approach under pressure lifted the mood in the dressing room and gave the team confidence that the campaign was going in the right direction.Team India Report Card: A perfect end to a not-so-perfect T20 World Cup campaign“With the ease and composure with which he was batting, it gave us a lot of confidence in the group that we are probably on the right track now. When Sanju got going and the way Ishan Kishan was batting at number three, a lot of things really started to take shape,” he added.Gambhir also described winning the World Cup as India’s head coach as a deeply emotional moment and said the opportunity to contribute to the country again in the national colors was something he never expected.“I could never think of winning the World Cup as a coach. I never thought I would get the opportunity or the privilege to be the head coach of the Indian team because it is an absolute privilege to wear the Indian jersey again or do something special for the country,” he said.
Suryakumar Yadav lifts the trophy with Gautam Gambhir as the team members celebrate. (PTI photo)
The 2011 World Cup winner added that representing India carries a responsibility beyond personal milestones.“When your mom wishes you and says ‘good job’, that’s what you play for and what you live for. What greater feeling is there than making 140 million Indians proud,” Gambhir said.During the tournament, Gambhir said he repeatedly reminded the players that a place in the national dressing room is a privilege.“I have always believed that and I have also always told the boys that being in that dressing room is a privilege, not an entitlement. Thousands of people would like to be in my position as the head coach of the Indian team and many would like to be in the position that the players are in,” he said.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir with captain Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Credit: BCCI)
He attributed India’s success to a fearless and highly effective approach in the shortest format.“From day one, I’ve been a very strong believer that the T20 format is about impact. It’s not about milestones or individual performances. It’s about going out and making an impact, be it on the field, with the ball or with the bat,” explained Gambhir.The head coach also highlighted the willingness of the players to adapt to different roles during the tournament and pointed out that captain Suryakumar Yadav set the tone by adopting tactical changes in favor of the team.“One thing that will stick with me for the rest of my life is how comfortable the guys have embraced different batting positions,” Gambhir said.From Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube shifting roles in the batting order to Jasprit Bumrah delivering at every stage of the innings, Gambhir said the team’s adaptability has been a defining feature of India’s title campaign.
