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

Samson surpasses Virat Kohli's T20 WC record [Source: X]

Sanju Samson produced the innings of his life to snatch a memorable victory for India in the T20 World Cup virtual quarter finals against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens. The West Indies side batted first and posted 195 on the board as the Indian team needed 196 to clinch the victory and secure a place in the semis. 

Samson, who was once again given the opportunity to open, grabbed his chance with both hands and remained unbeaten at 97 to see India through. He was amply supported by other batters, but it was a Samson show at the Eden Gardens as the Windies got knocked out.

Samson shatters Kohli's T20 World Cup feat

Samson scored a match-winning 97*, his best T20I knock till date, and in the process, he surpassed Virat Kohli to become the Indian batter with the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup chase. Kohli previously held the record (82s vs Australia in 2016, and against Pakistan at MCG in 2022).

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In fact, the record of the highest individual score by an Indian was thoroughly dominated by Kohli, who had also scored 78* against Pakistan in 2012, and 72* against South Africa in 2014.

Kohli was at the top of the mountain, but Samson dethroned him as the Indian side dominated the proceedings with the bat to book their berth in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup.

How Samson carved the greatest T20I innings of his life

Sanju Samson played in the group stage match against Namibia, and after a decent performance, he was dropped from the playing XI. However, he finally got his opportunity against Zimbabwe, and then against the West Indies in a crucial knockout game.

Chasing 196 was never going to be easy under lights, but Samson made a mockery of the target with his sublime batting. Normally, one expects Abhishek Sharma to go all guns blazing, but instead, it was the Kerala batter who outshone him.

He played a calculative innings and slammed 97 unbeaten runs laced with 12 fours and 4 sixes as Team India hunted down their highest successful chase in T20 World Cup history.

Samson learned the art of chasing from Kohli, Rohit, and MSD

Samson played the innings of his life against the West Indies as he sailed India through to the semis. Talking about his knock, the Indian opener stated that he focused on each ball rather than thinking about what could happen ten overs later, and the batter also credited India’s three pillars for his outstanding batting in a run-chase.

"There is always a question - what if not? So definitely that keeps on playing in your mind," Samson told the broadcaster after the match.

"But when that thought kept on coming, I just brought myself into the present moment, looked at the ball and trusted myself to react according to its merit. I think that worked out pretty well today." Samson said he has learned how to approach a chase by observing greats such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni.

India would want Samson to continue the domination in the semis as the Men in Blue will take on England on March 5 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

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