Sachin Tendulkar behind Sanju Samson’s stellar run in T20 World Cup 2026

The sensational performance of Sanju Samson in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has a special inspiration behind it and he is none other than cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Samson scored his third consecutive half-century during the final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Before the final, he had already delivered two impressive knocks, an unbeaten 97 against West Indies and a commanding 89 against England. He became the third player to score half-centuries in both the semifinal and the final of a T20 World Cup

Samson, who emerged as one of India’s most consistent performers in the tournament, reportedly received crucial guidance and motivation from Tendulkar throughout the competition. The former Indian captain is understood to have been closely following Samson’s progress and offering advice on handling pressure in big matches.

According to sources close to the team management, Tendulkar had several conversations with Samson during the tournament, encouraging him to play fearless cricket and back his natural attacking style. The advice appeared to work wonders as the wicketkeeper-batter delivered impactful knocks at the top of the order.

Samson’s aggressive stroke play and composure helped India dominate several key matches during the tournament. His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a high strike rate proved vital for India’s batting lineup.

Also Read: T20 WC 2026 Final: Sanju Samson joins Virat Kohli to achieve unique record; can he be India’s lucky charm?

Team insiders said Tendulkar particularly advised Samson on pacing his innings in T20 cricket and staying mentally strong during lean patches. The legendary batter reportedly reminded Samson that big tournaments often demand patience before delivering match-defining performances.

Samson acknowledged the influence of the Master Blaster after one of India’s victories, saying that Tendulkar’s words gave him immense confidence. The guidance helped him stay focused and believe in his abilities even when the pressure was at its peak.