When it comes to India’s greatest achievements in the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli’s magical innings of 82 not out against Pakistan at the MCG in 2022 is considered the best. Many who had the opportunity to see it live felt that it might not be surpassed. Then Sanju Samson stepped up to the plate for India in their must-win clash against the West Indies with an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls. And Kris Srikkanth believes the knock was on par with Kohli’s heroics in Melbourne.
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Samson, who has had a rough time in the Indian team in recent months, came to the fore with a calm knock that was enough to help his side get over the line and secure a place in T20 World Cup semi-finals. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth was impressed with the knock and called it one of the best chases he has ever seen in the format.
“Sanju – one of the biggest chases I’ve ever seen. I’m telling you. When Virat Kohli played that knock against Pakistan in Melbourne, I was there on the ground. It felt like such a level. I kept saying, ‘God is designing everything for you.’ Look at the last two games – 20 off 7 balls, big moments – everything seemed to be building up for him. He really felt like God was behind him,” said Srikkanth.
WHAT WAS SO SPECIAL ABOUT SANJU’S KNOCK?
Srikkanth said it looked like Samson had an extra second to play shots on Sunday as there were no false shots from the Indian opener.
“Sanju had that extra second to play his shots. Not one careless shot. Not once did he look like he was getting out. Straight back foot drives past the fast bowlers, back foot tennis style shots – what shots! Another level batting. Complete innings,” Srikkanth said.
While criticizing the West Indies bowling, the former India coach claimed that the batting from Samson was unlike anything he had seen in his life, just because of the variety of strokes he played.
“He had so much time to play his strokes. That’s what stood out. Against fast bowlers, playing straight off the back foot. Front foot, back foot – it didn’t matter. He hit a six off the back foot in the previous game too. That shot is masterful. Brilliant.”
“I don’t know how he plays those shots. What a bat, Chetta! Excellent bat. I have never seen such a bat. Unbelievable,” said Srikkanth.
With his knock in Kolkata, he broke Samson Kohli’s record for the highest score in a successful run for India in the T20 World Cup.
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Published on:
March 2, 2026 11:25 AM IST
