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Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 against West Indies in Kolkata powered India into the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals, earning praise from Suryakumar Yadav and Kris Srikkanth.
Sanju Samson’s knock against the West Indies compared with Virat Kohli’s knock against Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2022 on the MCG
Sanju Samson’s knock against West Indies on Sunday night in Kolkata will go down as among the best in India’s T20I history, especially within the T20 World Cups. Playing just his third game in the continued T20 World Cup 2026, he made his presence felt with an unbeaten 97, which guided India into the semi-finals. While captain Suryakumar Yadav bowed all the way down to the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter, the whole Indian cricket fraternity was awestricken over Samson’s record-breaking knock.
Former India opener Kris Srikkanth compared Sanju’s match-winning 97 not-out with Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in Melbourne within the T20 World Cup 2022. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said the almighty had preserved this chance for Sanju.
“Sanju — one in all the best chases I’ve ever seen. I’m telling you. When Virat Kohli played that knock against Pakistan in Melbourne, I used to be there at the bottom. This felt like that level. I kept saying, ‘God is designing all the things for you.’ Have a look at the last two matches: 20 off 7 balls, big moments, all the things felt prefer it was increase for him. It really felt like God was behind him,” said Srikkanth.
Srikkanth said that it appeared like Samson had an additional second to play shots on Sunday, as there have been no false shots from the Indian opener.
“Sanju had that extra second to play his shots. Not one careless shot. Not once did he seem like getting out. Back-foot straight drives past the fast bowlers, tennis-style punches off the back foot — what shots! Different level batting. Complete innings,” said Srikkanth.
“He had a lot time to play his shots. That’s what stood out. Against fast bowlers, playing straight off the back foot. Front foot, back foot — it didn’t matter. Even within the previous match, he hit a six off the back foot. That shot is masterful. Sensible,” he added.
The 1983 World Cup winner further stated that Sanju’s batting was unlike anything he had seen in his life, just resulting from the range of shots that he played.
“I don’t know the way he plays those shots. What batting, Chetta! Outstanding batting. I actually have never seen batting like this. Incredible,” said Srikkanth.
March 02, 2026, 18:07 IST
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