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Sanju Samson (L) and Virat Kohli (R) (Source: AFP)
Sanju Samson joined the former India skipper and batting great, Virat Kohli, in the list of ‘greatest knocks for India in the T20 World Cup history’. Samson achieved this feat with his match-winning and unbeaten knock of 97 runs off just balls against the West Indies in a must-win game in the T20 World Cup 2026.
With this knock, Sanju Samson also overtook Virat Kohli’s record of the highest individual score of (82*) for India in a successful run chase. Samson’s knock also helped India enter the semi-finals after executing their highest successful run chase in the T20 World Cup history.
Now, former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth feels that Samson’s 97-run knock was on the same level as Virat Kohli’s historic 82 against Pakistan. Srikkanth also explained the reasoning behind him rating Samson's knock equal to Virat Kohli 82* at the MCG.
Kris Srikkanth ranks Sanju Samson parallel to Virat Kohli
Kris Srikkanth named Sanju Samson’s knock as one of the greatest he has ever witnessed. Srikkanth also shared his experience of being there when Virat Kohli played the ‘knock for the ages’ against Pakistan at the MCG in the T20 World Cup 2022.
“Sanju — one of the greatest chases I’ve ever seen. I’m telling you. When Virat Kohli played that knock against Pakistan in Melbourne, I was there at the ground. This felt like that level. I kept saying, 'God is designing everything for you.'” said Srikkant in a video on his YouTube channel.
“ Look at the last two matches, 20 off 7 balls, big moments — everything felt like it was building up for him. It really felt like God was behind him,” he added later.
Also Read: Sanju Samson Placed On Same Pedestal As Rohit Sharma
Kohli's 82* at the MCG that left the cricketing world awestruck
Speaking of Virat Kohli's unbelievable and historic knock of 82 runs off 53 balls against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022, it was the knock that left everyone awestruck. Kohli's knock came when India were almost 'down and out' after losing four wickets for the loss of just 31 runs in 6.1 overs.
Pakistan had almost taken over the game, breaking India's batting core in the powerplay. But then came a Kohli masterclass, with a major difference between Pakistan and the win. He stood firmly there in the middle, stitching a game-changing partnership of 113 runs for the fifth wicket with all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Eventually, Kohli survived all fumbles during India's run chase and ended up with an unbeaten knock of 82 runs off 53 balls, with six fours and four sixes. Kohli also won the 'Player of the Match' award for his decisive outing in India's favour. His knock helped India beat the arch-rivals by four wickets to take the head-to-head scoreline in the T20 World Cups from 5-1 to 6-1.
Samson enjoys an impactful run of form in T20 World Cup 2026
Sanju Samson has played only three matches in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. In these appearances, he has impressed everyone with his impactful knocks and brilliant starts, including the most recent match-winning knock against West Indies.
The 32-year-old has scored 143 runs in three innings at an amazing average of 71.50 and a swashbuckling strike rate of 195.89. His comeback in the playing XI has also strengthened India’s top order in the tournament, with Tilak Varma providing stability after being given the responsibility in the middle order.
Also Read- Babar Azam Among 3 Pakistan Players To Face The Axe For T20 World Cup Humiliation
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