Backing the wicket-keeper batsman to save the best for last, Sanju Samson’s kids coach Biju George believes the in-form Kerala star has a big influence in him that could help India defend their World T20 title against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Samson came painfully close to a century in his last two outings in the tournament, falling for 97 against the West Indies and 89 against England in the semi-finals. Speaking to ANI, George said that he is confident that Samson is simply saving his best for the finale.
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“Even in the last match his batting was brilliant. I was wishing and praying that he gets a hundred and I hope he saves it for the final and gets a big score. Fingers crossed for him,” said George.
Should Samson come through with the winning knock in the final, it would add another remarkable chapter to an already memorable tournament. No team has successfully defended the T20 World Cup title in the history of the tournament and India will be looking to make history in Ahmedabad.
Selfless Sanju Samson
George was especially full of praise Samson’s selflessness throughout the campaign. The 31-year-old consistently puts the team ahead of personal milestones, a quality his coach says sets him apart from many of his peers.
On 87 against England in the semi-final, Samson decided to go for the big shot rather than play it safe to reach his century and ended up falling in the process. For George, this moment summed up everything about his former pupil.
“Whatever he’s doing, he’s playing for India. When he was 87, he wasn’t trying to knock it down, he thought he had 10 or 11 overs left to get to his hundred. No,” George said.
“He took a risk because he played for India and he always plays for the team. When he plays for Kerala, he puts Kerala first. When he plays for India, India comes first.”
One more dance
With the final looming, George is in no doubt about what he wants to see from Samson at a venue that has tough memories for India, having suffered a heartbreaking loss. Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the same venue.
“One final dance for the 2026 World Cup. I think India will be champions for sure. It’s a high-pressure game. Nobody knows what New Zealand can do when they have nothing to lose, but as an Indian you wish and pray that India go through,” George said.
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#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | On Sanju Samson’s T20 World Cup semi-final performance, childhood coach Sanju Samson says, “In the last two matches his batting has been brilliant. I wanted a hundred which I hope he keeps for the final and pic.twitter.com/ZsWShkg33I— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2026
“And as a Malayalee, especially from Trivandrum, you wish for Sanju to become Man of the Match and lift the cup. That would make us all very happy.”
George also dismissed any suggestion that this could be the end of Samson’s journey in international cricket, backing the 31-year-old to feature in a few more ICC tournaments and insisting that the best years of his career are still ahead of him.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
06 March 2026 17:49 IST
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