Former India coach Ravi Shastri has revealed what he believes is behind Sanju Samson’s stunning run of form at the 2026 FIFA World Cup T20, pointing to a significant shift in the keeper-batsman’s mental approach as a key factor in his recent performances.
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Samson has been one of the standout performers in the latter stages of the tournament, winning two matches in India’s must-win games. He scored a goal unbeaten 97 against West Indies to help India complete the sensational chase and keep their semi-final hopes alive before following it up a fiery 89 against England in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where he hit seven sixes to help India set a mammoth target of 254 runs which they later won.
Ravi Shastri’s Verdict
Speaking to The ICC Review, Shastri said he was not surprised Samson’s turn. He noticed a clear change in the batter’s mindset and felt it was only a matter of time before the results came.
“I think he’s finally realized and come to terms with the fact that he needs to be more consistent,” Shastri said. “He’s got to be smarter with his shot selection and he’s got to play up his strengths. With Sanju, it’s like he’s got all the shots in the book but he’s losing focus.”
Shastri was keen to point out that Samson’s talent was never in doubt. What held him back, according to the former coach, was a lack of consistent consistency rather than a lack of ability.
“I think he has toughened up mentally and there is never anyone who doubts his skills or talent since he got into the side,” added Shastri. “People were disappointed that the consistency that should have been there now is not there, but he has matured.
With Samson now 31 and his role in the Indian set-up more clearly defined, Shastri believes the best is yet to come from one of Indian cricket’s most gifted batsmen.
“He is still only 31 and a real match winner,” Shastri said. “And when you see shots played like that, there’s class, touch, power, raw power. It’s just unbelievable.”
India will now face New Zealand in the final and if Samson continues in this vein, they will be hard to stop.
Slow start, sharp end
It wasn’t always easy for Samson in this tournament. He struggled to impress in the earlier group stage matches against Namibia and Zimbabwe, unable to convert his aggressive cameos into the big scores India needed from him. There were questions about whether he would keep his place in the side.
But when the pressure was on and the stakes were highest, Samson came through. His timing couldn’t have been better, India needed someone to step up in the knockout stages and the 31-year-old responded emphatically to the challenge.
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– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
March 6, 2026 1:43 PM IST
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