Former India captain Sourav Ganguly lavished praise on Sanju Samson after the wicketkeeper-batter produced a stunning match-winning knock to guide the Indian cricket team into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Samson remained unbeaten on 97 off 50 balls as India chased down the target with five wickets in hand against the West Indies team in a thrilling contest at Eden Gardens.

Samson’s innings came at a crucial moment in the tournament, especially considering his inconsistent presence in India’s T20I setup over the past few months. The 31-year-old had been in and out of the playing XI, but the team management brought him back for the must-win Super 8 clash against the Zimbabwe team in Chennai, where he contributed a quick 24 off 15 balls to help India build momentum.

Against the West Indies, however, Samson delivered a far more impactful performance. He anchored the challenging chase of 196 with remarkable composure, balancing aggression with smart shot selection. His ability to stay till the end and finish the game highlighted both his maturity and match awareness under pressure.

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Speaking about the innings, Sourav Ganguly praised Samson’s quality and insisted that the Kerala batter deserves a consistent place in India’s white-ball squads.

“Outstanding. He’s a very good player. He should consistently play for India in the white-ball,” Sourav Ganguly said while speaking to ANI.

The former BCCI president also highlighted Samson’s ability to dominate bowlers once he settles at the crease. According to Ganguly, the key to Samson’s success against the West Indies was his ability to read the situation and adapt his approach accordingly.

“When he gets in, he’ll hurt the opposition. He played to the situation, which is important,” Sourav Ganguly added.

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Ganguly further admired Samson’s resilience in bouncing back from criticism and uncertainty surrounding his place in the team. Despite months of scrutiny and competition from players like Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, Samson delivered when India needed him the most. India will now face England cricket team in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5, with Samson’s form providing a major boost to the defending champions.