Ahmedabad, March 8 (UNI) Sanju Samson’s triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is as much a story of mentorship as it is of talent, with Sachin Tendulkar playing a pivotal role behind the scenes.
The Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman, named Player of the Tournament, revealed that constant guidance from the legendary cricketer helped him navigate periods of self-doubt and career uncertainty.
“When I was sitting outside in Australia, not playing a game, I reached out to Sachin sir to understand the mindset required. We had huge conversations, and even yesterday he called to check how I was feeling. Getting guidance from someone like him — what more can I ask for?” Samson said.
The journey to this World Cup glory was built over years of quiet perseverance. Samson, who was part of India’s 2024 World Cup-winning squad but did not play a single match, admitted he spent that time visualising success and preparing mentally for future opportunities. “I thought I need to put in so much work to achieve exactly what I wanted. By God’s grace, today things have turned around,” he said.
After a tough spell following the New Zealand series, when he felt his dreams had shattered, Samson returned stronger, contributing crucial performances that helped India lift the trophy at home.
On the role of mentorship, Samson added, “Clarity, game preparation, game awareness, and game sense — all of this came from the guidance I received from seniors, especially Sachin sir. It’s been invaluable.”
When asked about future goals, Samson said he wants to savour the moment first. “This itself is very big for me. I need to enjoy it right now. After a few days, we’ll figure out what next to do.”
Samson’s story this World Cup is a testament to how talent, resilience, and mentorship can combine to create cricketing legends.
