Sanju Samson’s Match-Winning 97 Powers India to Historic Chase”: Sanju Samson delivered one of the finest knocks of his career as India defeated West Indies by 5 wickets in the Super 8 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 1, 2026 (Sunday).
Chasing a big target of 196 runs, India reached 199/5 in 19.2 overs, registering their highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history.
Samson played a captain’s knock under pressure and remained unbeaten till the end.
Sanju Samson Match Performance
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97* | 50 | 12 | 4 | 194.00 |
He controlled the chase after early wickets and finished the match in style with a six and a boundary in the final over.
Read more: India Highest Successful Run Chase in T20 World Cups
How Samson Anchored the Chase
India lost Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan early, but Samson held the innings together with smart shot selection and aggressive intent.
Key Partnerships
- 58 runs with Suryakumar Yadav
- 42 runs with Tilak Varma
- 38 runs with Hardik Pandya
- Match-finishing stand with Shivam Dube
His innings ensured India maintained a run rate above 10 throughout the chase.
Match Summary
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 195/4 (20 overs) |
| India | 199/5 (19.2 overs) |
| Result | India won by 5 wickets |
This win also secured India’s place in the semi-finals.
Who is Sanju Samson? Profile
| Full Name | Sanju Viswanath Samson |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 November 1994 |
| Age | 30 years |
| Birthplace | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Jersey Number | #9 (India) |
Sanju Samson Personal Life and Family
Sanju comes from a simple and supportive family background.
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Samson Viswanath (Retired Police constable) |
| Mother | Lijy Viswanath (Homemaker) |
| Brother | Saly Samson |
| Wife | Charulatha Remesh |
| Marriage | 22 December 2018 |
His father left his job to support Sanju’s cricket career, which played a big role in his success.
Religion and Background
- Religion: Christianity
- Hometown: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Nationality: Indian
Sanju is known for his humble nature and strong faith, often speaking about discipline and hard work in his journey.
Career Journey in Brief
- Made T20I debut in 2015
- Represented Kerala in domestic cricket
- Key player and captain for Rajasthan Royals in IPL now in CSK in IPL 2026
- Won IPL Best Young Player Award (2013)
- Part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad (2024)
One of his early achievements includes becoming the youngest player from Kerala to play Ranji Trophy.
Lifestyle and Interests
- Hobbies: Reading, Football, Travelling
- Favourite cricketers: MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers, Brian Lara
- Cars: Range Rover Sport, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series
- Runs a sports academy in Kerala to train young athletes
- Highest score of the match (97*)
- Guided India in a must-win game
- Helped complete a record 196-run chase
- Finished the match under pressure
- One of the most impactful innings of his international career
This performance also answered questions about his role in the playing XI.
Conclusion
Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 was not just a match-winning innings but a statement performance on a big stage. From a young boy whose father sacrificed his career for his dreams to becoming the hero of India’s historic T20 World Cup chase, Samson’s journey reflects hard work, patience, and determination.
With form and confidence on his side, he could be a key player for India in the knockout stages.
