Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra praised Sanju Samson’s performances in the T20 World Cup. Samson bounced back in form as he delivered for India in three knockout games. The 31-year-old was included in the Super 8 stage match against Zimbabwe after India suffered a crushing 76-run loss against South Africa.
The Kerala batter returned with scores of 97(50), 89(42), and 89(46) in the virtual quarterfinals, semifinal and final of the tournament, respectively. The right-hander was awarded Player of the tournament after he scored 321 runs in five matches at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.38.
The flamboyant batter was at his best in the summit clash against the Kiwis and played a key role in getting India to 255.
“Chetta needs to be spoken about because he is the highest run-scorer for Team India. You are the highest run-scorer when you haven’t played four matches. You know the story today, so you still appreciate it, but if you think about it after 10 or 20 years, that a guy wasn’t played four of the nine matches, and he became the highest run-scorer of the team, you would say what a guy he would have been,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra praised Samson for going one step ahead of Shahid Afridi and Virat Kohli, who had earlier scored fifties in the semifinal and the final of the T20 World Cup.
“89, two identical scores. Three back-to-back fifties. No one has done that – scoring three back-to-back fifties in the quarterfinal, semi-final, and final. There were only two players who made fifties in the semi-final and final – Shahid Afridi and Virat Kohli, but he has gone ahead of them as well. The third wasn’t a quarterfinal, but it was a quarterfinal. Player of the Tournament, the guy who did not play four matches,” he added.
The renowned commentator said Samson looked in no trouble during his match-winning knock.
“In every innings, it didn’t seem like he was having any difficulties. The maturity was visible in the way he was settling the game. He told Abhishek Sharma to continue hitting as he would stand at the other end. He told Ishan Kishan to hit and that he would manage. He was taking singles,” he said.
Samson will be next seen in action while playing for CSK in IPL 2026.
