Sanju Samson is all set to receive a hero’s welcome in Thiruvananthapuram after playing a defining role in India’s triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup. The Kerala government is planning an official reception for the wicketkeeper-batsman, who was named the player of the tournament after a string of match-winning performances that helped India defend the title.
According to a PTI report, Kerala General Education Minister and Labor Minister V Sivankutty confirmed on Monday that the state government will host a reception in the capital to honor Samson’s contribution to India’s World Cup triumph.
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Hailing from the coastal town of Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram, Samson has brought immense pride to the people of Kerala with his performances in the tournament, the minister said in a statement.
The reception will be hosted by the state government, though the exact date of the event is yet to be announced.
India clinched the World T20 title in emphatic fashion on Sunday, beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The win meant that India successfully defended the trophy with a dominant display.
From uncertainty to tournament hero
Samson’s rise to Player of the Tournament honors was anything but straightforward. When the campaign started, the Kerala batter was not part of the Indian playing XI. He was dropped after a disappointing bilateral series against New Zealand earlier in the year, where he scored only 46 runs in five matches.
His opportunity came unexpectedly when Abhishek Sharma was ruled out due to a stomach ailment. Even after that, Samson returned to the bench briefly once Abhishek recovered. However, India later changed their batting order after the off-spinners trouble their left-heavy first three.
Samson returned to the XI in the must-win game against Zimbabwe in Chennai. While that innings suggested a return to form, his real breakthrough came at the Super Eight stage.
Samson’s campaign is defined by hitting in big matches
The turning point came against the West Indies when India faced a steep chase of 196. Samson made a stunning unbeaten 97, anchoring the chase with a calm and controlled innings that kept India alive in the tournament.
He followed it up with another big knock in the semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium. Samson smashed a whopping 89 at the top of the order to help India post a mammoth total of 253.
In the final against New Zealand, Samson again seized the opportunity. His 46-ball 89 laid the foundations for India’s record-breaking 255, which proved to be well beyond New Zealand’s reach.
I think about my way to victory Samson said the success was surreal.
“It feels like a dream. Very happy, very grateful. No words, going through the emotions. It’s a little surreal,” he said.
For a player whose immense talent often promised more than he delivered, Samson’s World Cup campaign finally lived up to the hopes of millions of Indian fans – earning him a hero’s welcome back home.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
09 March 2026 14:48 IST
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