Samson Reveals He Doubted Rohit’s World Cup Reassurance

Sanju Samson has opened up about the emotional rollercoaster he experienced during India’s triumphant 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, admitting that he found it hard to trust former captain Rohit Sharma’s words of encouragement after being dropped from the playing eleven.

A Difficult Start to the Tournament

Samson arrived at the World Cup carrying the weight of a lacklustre five-match T20I series against New Zealand. That poor form cost him his spot in the XI during the tournament’s early matches, with Ishan Kishan stepping in to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. Rohit, present at the tournament in his capacity as ICC ambassador, sought Samson out before a game to lift his spirits, urging him to stay patient and assuring him that his opportunity would eventually arrive. By Samson’s own admission, though, he was too crushed by the setback to find comfort in those words at the time.

Turning Setback Into Strength

Rather than letting the disappointment consume him, Samson used the period on the sidelines for deep self-reflection, questioning his role in the side and working through the mental hurdles that came with being overlooked. That inner resolve paid off in dramatic fashion once he was recalled to the starting lineup.

Samson seized his chance with both hands, finishing as India’s leading run-scorer in the tournament with 321 runs across five matches. His stellar form was instrumental in India’s triumphant campaign, and he was ultimately crowned Player of the Tournament as the team lifted the T20 World Cup trophy — a fitting reward for the resilience he showed during his toughest days on the sidelines.