Sanju Samson Credits Sachin Tendulkar's Mentorship for T20 World Cup Triumph
An emotional Sanju Samson, fresh from receiving the Player of the Tournament award after India's T20 World Cup victory, revealed how he turned to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar during a period of personal crisis. Samson described feeling "broken" and "shattered" after a wretched run of form, but found salvation through a simple phone call to the batting maestro.
The Turning Point: A Call to the Master
"When I was sitting outside in Australia during the T20Is in October, not playing a game, I thought deeply about what mindset was required," Samson recalled. "I reached out to 'Sir' and had long conversations with him." The Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batsman spoke passionately about the value of Tendulkar's guidance, emphasizing the "clarity, game preparation, awareness and game sense" he gained from their discussions.
Remarkably, Tendulkar even called Samson the night before the World Cup final to check on his mental state. "Even the night before the final, Sir called me up to check how I am feeling," Samson revealed, highlighting the personal touch that has made Tendulkar's mentorship so effective for generations of Indian cricketers.
The University of Batting: Tendulkar's Enduring Legacy
There's a reason Sunil Gavaskar once referred to Tendulkar as a "university of batting." Despite retiring from international cricket over a decade ago, Tendulkar remains an astute observer of the game, making sharp technical observations that he shares privately with players who seek his counsel.
Former India head coach and South African opening batter Gary Kirsten has echoed similar sentiments about Tendulkar's analytical prowess. The Master Blaster doesn't publicly air his observations, but maintains an open-door policy for any cricketer seeking guidance.
A History of Transformative Interventions
Samson is merely the latest in a distinguished line of Indian batters who have benefited from Tendulkar's mentorship:
- Yuvraj Singh (2011 World Cup): During a horrendous form slump before the tournament, Tendulkar told the struggling left-hander, "You will matter when it matters most." Yuvraj went on to become Player of the Tournament as India lifted the trophy.
- Virat Kohli (2014 England tour): After scoring just 134 runs in 10 innings against James Anderson, a psychologically wrecked Kohli sent an SOS to Tendulkar. Their sessions at Bandra Kurla Complex focused not just on technique but on mental fortitude. "One thing he told me was, 'You should always do what works for you,'" Kohli recalled. He subsequently smashed four centuries in Australia during the 2014-2015 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
- Shubman Gill (2025 England tour): The newly-crowned Test captain sought Tendulkar's advice on English conditions. The legend's guidance about defending straight and scoring square helped Gill amass 754 runs in the five-match series.
- Prithvi Shaw (2018): Beyond technical tips, Tendulkar reportedly told the talented but wayward batsman, "Waapas track pe aaja (Better get back on track)," demonstrating his holistic approach to player development.
The Secret to Tendulkar's Effective Mentorship
In an era where cricketers have access to numerous coaches and analysts, why do they still turn to Tendulkar? According to Atul Ranade, Tendulkar's childhood friend and Mumbai's Ranji team fielding coach, the answer lies in simplicity and honesty.
"What he brings to the table is honesty," Ranade explained. "He'll also keep it as simple as possible, which makes it easy for the person to understand. The best thing about 'Master' is that he knows what conditions he is talking about. He makes people who approach him understand how to go about playing in certain conditions, respect them and do what works for them."
Always Available: Tendulkar's Commitment to the Game
Ranade shared a revealing anecdote from 2014, just months after Tendulkar's retirement. While playing badminton, Tendulkar instructed his friends: "Don't disturb me unless one phone call comes." When asked who would call, he simply replied, "Rohit will call." True to prediction, Rohit Sharma—who had just started opening for India in ODIs—called, and Tendulkar stopped the game to speak with him for nearly thirty minutes.
This accessibility extends beyond batting advice. Ranade revealed that Tendulkar played a crucial role in Sharma's move from Deccan Chargers to Mumbai Indians in 2011, a transfer that eventually saw Sharma captain the franchise to five IPL championships.
"He's always there for them; he always has time to give back to the game," Ranade emphasized. "He's always ready to help in whatever way that he can."
For Sanju Samson and countless other Indian cricketers, that willingness to help has made all the difference between despair and triumph on cricket's biggest stages.
