Watch- Sanju Samson Caught Kissing Bat In India's Dressing Room

Sanju Samson after the match vs WI [Source: @crictalk7/x]

Sanju Samson unfurled a generational knock against West Indies in India’s virtual quarter-final of the T20 World Cup 2026. Opening the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma in a chase of 196, the attacking right-hander smeared an unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls with four sixes and 12 boundaries, including one to notch up the winning runs.

Shortly after the winning moment, the 31-year-old got down on his knees and thanked the ‘almighty’ for scripting a night that will linger long in Indian cricket’s memory. The celebrations did not end there, as the dressing room witnessed yet another heartfelt gesture from the senior Kerala batter.

Also Read- Sanju Samson Rewrites History Books To Shatter Virat Kohli's T2O World Cup Record

Sanju Samson kisses his bat after India win

Amid the dressing room euphoria, Sanju Samson produced another tender gesture that quickly caught the cameras’ attention. After getting congratulated by teammate Washington Sundar, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter picked up his bat and gave it a kiss to demonstrate his gratitude towards the game.

Watch the video below:

crictalk

@crictalk7

Mar 2, 2026, 11:14 AM

While speaking with Parthiv Patel after the match, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter briefly discussed his faith and how he prefers to keep his beliefs private. The cricketer also reflected on his arduous journey in Indian cricket, acknowledging the setbacks that shaped his resolve.

Sanju Samson justifies his return amid topsy-turvy journey

Sanju Samson was dropped from India’s playing XI after aggregating just 46 runs in five innings against New Zealand back in January. He was replaced by Ishan Kishan, who opened the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma.

However, Samson was called back into the XI for the match against Namibia as a replacement for an illness-struck Abhishek. The blistering wicketkeeper-batter also opened the innings for India in each of their last two Super 8 matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies.

While Sanju Samson failed to go beyond 24 against Zimbabwe in Chennai, he has now slapped a match-winning 97* from just 50 balls against West Indies in the final Super 8 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. 

The 31-year-old rained down 12 boundaries and four huge sixes, and crafted match-defining partnerships with captain Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya as India made lightwork of West Indies’ 195-run total.

Storming back into form and amongst the runs, the right-handed top-order batter will likely continue to open the innings for India in their upcoming semifinal of the 2026 T20 World Cup against England.

A place in the final up for grabs

With Team India demolishing West Indies in the Super 8 stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav and co. will now face Group 2 toppers England in the second semifinal.

The match will be hosted by the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, and the action will commence from 7:00 PM IST onwards on Thursday, March 5. The winner of the match will either face South Africa or New Zealand in the final match of the tournament a couple of days later at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

Also Read- Shahid Afridi Thrashes Son-In-Law Shaheen Afridi For Pakistan's Exit