In the aftermath of India’s dramatic win over West Indies in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, an old message from Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson has resurfaced online and quickly gone viral among cricket fans. The advice, shared weeks earlier, now feels almost prophetic after Samson’s match-winning performance in Kolkata.
Samson played a sensational unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls to guide India to a thrilling five-wicket win over West Indies at Eden Gardens. His knock not only sealed India’s place in the semifinals but also marked one of the finest T20 World Cup chases by an Indian batter.
However, the journey to that moment wasn’t straightforward. Samson spent the early part of the tournament on the bench and had to patiently wait for his opportunity. During that phase, he met Rohit Sharma, who was attending the tournament as an ICC ambassador. The veteran opener offered a few reassuring words that stayed with Samson.
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“Don’t be disheartened. It is a long tournament. You’ll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime,” Rohit Sharma told him.
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The message proved timely. Samson eventually returned to the playing XI against Namibia and later made a quick impact against Zimbabwe before delivering his defining performance against the West Indies.
Reflecting on that challenging phase, Samson revealed that he intentionally stepped away from distractions to regain focus. Instead of constantly following outside opinions, he chose to reconnect with the basics that had worked for him before.
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“To be honest, I worked with a lot of people and I respect the suggestions. There were valid points,” Sanju Samson explained. “But at the same time, I felt like I have scored three international hundreds with the same setup. I respected the advice but wanted to return to my basics and shot selection.”
The wicketkeeper-batter added that he temporarily switched off his phone and avoided social media to stay mentally fresh. India will now shift their focus to the semifinal clash against the England cricket team at Wankhede Stadium on March 5, with Samson’s form providing a timely boost.
