Shashi Tharoor Recalls Early Prediction of Sanju Samson's Stardom
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has long been a vocal admirer of cricketer Sanju Samson, whose recent Player of the Tournament award highlighted India's historic third T20 World Cup title victory. Reflecting on the wicketkeeper-batter's remarkable journey, Tharoor shared a personal anecdote from years ago, revealing he once told a young Samson that he could become the next MS Dhoni.
Tharoor's First Encounter with a Teenage Talent
"I feel tremendous pride. I first met him when he was just 14 years old, a young club cricketer with a big smile and immense talent, already excelling in both wicketkeeping and batting," Tharoor recounted. "I had told him, somewhat patronisingly, that he would be the next Dhoni." This early interaction showcased Tharoor's recognition of Samson's potential, even as a teenager.
Gautam Gambhir's Correction and Unwavering Support
However, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir later advised Tharoor that Samson did not need to emulate anyone else and would instead forge his own unique path. Gambhir, even before becoming India's head coach, had consistently backed Samson. In 2020, he had called him "not just the best wicketkeeper-batsman in India, but the best young batsman in India." Tharoor added, "Years later, Gambhir corrected me, saying he does not need to be the next Dhoni; he will be the one and only Sanju Samson — and that is exactly what he has become."
Samson's Journey and World Cup Triumph
MS Dhoni remains the benchmark for wicketkeeper-batters, having arrived at the international stage as a big-hitting top-order batter before evolving into one of India's finest middle-order finishers and captains, winning all three major ICC white-ball trophies. In contrast, Samson faced challenges with form leading up to the T20 World Cup and was even benched initially. He returned for the crucial Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe and then delivered three consecutive half-centuries: 97* against West Indies, 89 against England, and 89 against New Zealand in the final. These performances consistently anchored India's innings and guided them to successfully defend their title.
Tharoor Praises Samson's Character and Leadership
"He has been a terrific success — quiet, modest, unpretentious, and an effective leader," Tharoor said. "He has led Rajasthan Royals very well for years and brought stability to India's top order. Even during his difficult phases, I always felt that if he composed himself, his core talent would shine through." Recalling Samson's semi-final and final displays, Tharoor added, "In both matches, he reached 89 before being dismissed while selflessly playing big shots for the team. He could have played conservatively, but he chose to accelerate, showing the selfless, talented, and dedicated nature of Sanju Samson."
Record-Breaking T20 World Cup Campaign
Sanju Samson's stellar campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 has rewritten the record books. In just five innings, he scored 321 runs, breaking Virat Kohli's long-standing record of 319 runs from the 2014 T20 World Cup for the most runs by an Indian in a T20 World Cup. He also set a new benchmark for the most sixes in a single World Cup with 24. Samson broke multiple other records, including:
- The most runs for India in consecutive innings
- The most runs in T20 World Cup knockout matches
- The highest score for India in a T20 World Cup final and in a chase
His blend of power-hitting, composure under pressure, and match-winning instincts made him the standout performer of the tournament. With these feats, Samson not only helped India clinch their third T20 World Cup title but also elevated himself into the elite echelon of T20 cricket legends.
