Former BCCI president and India captain Sourav Ganguly praised Sanju Samson after his incredible knock helped India reach the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup T20. Samson remained unbeaten on 97 off 50 balls India won the match by five wickets and advanced to the final four stage of the tournament.
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Samson has been in and out of the T20I side recently, but India decided to call him up for the must-win match against Zimbabwe in Chennai, where he scored 24 off 15 balls to help set a good platform for India. In Sunday’s match, the keeper controlled the run chase well and ensured that he lasted until the very end to get the home team over the finish line. This prompted Ganguly to say that he should play for white balls.
“Excellent. He is a very good player. He should play for India consistently in the white ball,” Ganguly told ANI.
The former Indian captain said Samson has the ability to hurt the opposition once he is set and play according to the situation on Sunday.
“You know when he gets in, he hurts the opposition. He played in a situation that is important,” Ganguly added.
A LESSON FROM SAMSON’S KNOCKING
Ganguly also praised the resilience shown by Samson to fend off critics and return to the side.
“It teaches us all that the same lad couldn’t find in the last six months, he couldn’t find his place in the team, either Ishan Kishan was opening or someone else came in. Just before the World Cup, I was going through the media headlines saying that Sanju is going to fail again, he shouldn’t deserve a place in the side, India has so much talent, why isn’t Shubman in the game and yet the Gill7 lad is here and he will take you to the semi-finals,” Ganguly said.
India will face England in the semi-final on March 5 in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium.
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Published on:
02 March 2026 15:37 IST
