Sanju Samson has once again sparked the debate about whether he deserves a permanent place in India’s white-ball teams. After his remarkable match-winning knock against the West Indies cricket team, former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes the answer is clear — Samson should be a regular in India’s limited-overs setup.
Samson delivered one of the most memorable innings of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 when India faced West Indies in a must-win clash. Chasing a daunting target of 196, the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter played with remarkable composure, finishing unbeaten on 97. His innings guided the India national cricket team to victory with four balls to spare and secured a spot in the tournament’s semi-finals.
Ganguly was full of praise for the 29-year-old, stating that Samson has the talent and temperament required to succeed consistently at the highest level. According to the former BCCI president, the innings was proof of Samson’s ability to perform under extreme pressure.
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“He’s a very good player. He should consistently play for India in white-ball cricket — 100 per cent,” Sourav Ganguly said. “It was almost like a quarter-final, and to score 97 not out in that situation shows the quality he possesses. When Samson gets set, he can really hurt the opposition.”
The former captain also reflected on Samson’s journey over the past few months. Not long ago, the wicketkeeper-batter was struggling to cement his place in the squad. Competition from players like Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill meant Samson frequently found himself on the fringes of the playing XI.
Ganguly pointed out how quickly perceptions can change in cricket. Just weeks before the tournament, headlines questioned Samson’s consistency and whether he deserved to be in the team. Now, the same player has produced a defining innings on the biggest stage.
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India will next face the England cricket team in the semi-final, a matchup that has become familiar in recent T20 World Cups. While India overcame West Indies with confidence, Ganguly cautioned that England will present a much tougher challenge. According to him, India will need to replicate the same composure and fearless approach if they hope to reach another World Cup final.
