For Sanju Samson, the months leading up to the 2026 T20 World Cup were surrounded with uncertainty. A disappointing India vs New Zealand T20I series ahead of the T20I World Cup had left Samson contemplating his form and confidence. Samson revealed that the poor run made him feel pressured, especially with a global tournament fast approaching. However, during this difficult phase, Samson found guidance in conversations with legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. Over the course of two months, the discussions helped him get his belief back. According to Samson, Tendulkar encouraged him to trust his natural game and focus on preparation rather than past failures.

"To be honest, a lot of guidance and suggestions from our senior players, and a lot of former players have really reached out to me and tried to help me out. From the last couple of months… I hope I can share it here. I've been in constant touch with Sachin Tendulkar, sir. When I was sitting outside in Australia, I wasn't playing a game; I thought about what mindset is required," Sanju Samson said during the post-match presentation after India's T20I World Cup title win.

"I reached out to Sir and had big conversations with him. Even yesterday night, he called me up to check how I am feeling. Getting guidance from someone like him – that clarity, game preparation, awareness and game sense – I'm grateful for everyone who supported me."

When the T20 World Cup reached its knockout stage, Samson delivered when India needed him the most. In three must-win matches, he produced a remarkable sequence of scores—97*, 89, and 89—single-handedly driving India’s batting charge. Across five matches, Samson amassed 321 runs, finishing as the third-highest run scorer in the competition. Notably, Samson was part of India’s squad that won the 2024 T20 World Cup under captain Rohit Sharma. Although India lifted the trophy in the United States and the Caribbean, Samson did not play a single match during the campaign. 

"To be very honest, I think this process started one or two years before, when I was with the 2024 World Cup-winning team in West Indies. I couldn't play a game, but I kept on visualising, kept on dreaming, kept on working. This is exactly what I wanted to do then. I thought I needed to put in so much work that this is exactly what I wanted to achieve. By God's grace today things have turned around," he said.

"Right after the New Zealand series, I was broke. I was completely out of my mind. I was like my dreams had shattered. I thought, 'okay what else can I do?' But God had different plans. I suddenly came back into the crucial games and I did what I could for the country. I'm very proud and happy that I was courageous enough to dream about it and things have turned up nicely for me, so very grateful," Samson added.