![Sanju Samson and his doppelganger [Source: @BCCI/x, Ritesh_telang/Instagram]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772868691621_SanjuSamson.jpg?type=hq)
Sanju Samson and his doppelganger [Source: @BCCI/x, Ritesh_telang/Instagram]
Sanju Samson unleashed a match-winning 89 off 42 balls against England in the second semifinal of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The blistering opener clattered eight boundaries and seven huge sixes in the innings as India mounted 253-7 in 20 overs at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium earlier this week.
At one point of the match, Samson, or at least his lookalike, was even spotted cheering for the Indian cricket team from the stands. The fan in question was obviously a doppelganger of the cricketer, who quickly went viral on social media.
Sanju Samson does it all at the Wankhede Stadium
Sanju Samson seemingly had a pretty busy evening in Mumbai on March 5 earlier this week. Apart from launching England bowlers to all corners of the Wankhede Stadium, the cricketer, or at least his lookalike, even cheered for the team from the stands.
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The moment of the doppelganger cheering for the Indian team quickly went viral on social media, with several fans pointing out the uncanny resemblance between the two.
In the comments of the video, an Indian social media user named Neeraj Koidala (Instagram- _neerajk13_) claimed to be Sanju Samson’s lookalike at the Wankhede Stadium stand during the match.
Sanju Samson stars for India with late insurgence
Sanju Samson was benched for a major part of India’s Group A stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Following his lackluster home series against New Zealand back in January, the explosive opener was replaced by Ishan Kishan in the tournament at the top of the order.
However, Abhishek Sharma’s form slump prompted the Indian team management to recall the dashing wicketkeeper-batter back into India’s playing XI as an opener. The 31-year-old justified the faith by smearing an unbeaten 50-ball 97 against West Indies at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
The innings helped India defeat West Indies by five wickets and storm into the semifinals of the showpiece event. On the big day in Mumbai on March 5, Sanju Samson unleashed another cracking 42-ball 89, this time against England to set up path of a thrilling seven-run win for India.
The cricketer will now be aiming to carry this momentum for the Indian team in the impending final against New Zealand this weekend.
India to face New Zealand to defend world title
Team India, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, will now face New Zealand in the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The match will be hosted by the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8. The action will commence from 7:00 PM IST onwards.
If India manages to win the match, the ‘Men in Blue’ will become the first side in history to win three T20 World Cups, and also the first to lift two in a row. Moreover, an Indian win will also make Team India the first side in history to lift a T20 World Cup on home soil.
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