The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) will honour Sanju Samson on Monday, March 16, during the inauguration of its new cricket stadium in Mangalapuram, Mullassery. The ceremony will begin at 6 PM and celebrate Samson’s role in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the stadium and attend the felicitation event, where Samson will be the chief guest. Several state ministers and local MLAs are also expected to be present.
The event will be led by KCA President Sreejith V Nair, who praised Samson’s journey from Kerala cricket to the international stage and his impact on young players in the state.
KCA said Samson’s performances in the T20 World Cup 2026 played a key part in India retaining the title. His success has inspired many young cricketers across Kerala.
Samson finished as the tournament’s third-highest run scorer with 321 runs in five innings. He averaged 80.25 and struck at an impressive rate of 199.37.
His memorable knocks included an unbeaten 97 against West Indies, 89 against England, and another 89 against New Zealand in the knockout stages.
Those performances helped India lift the T20 World Cup and earned Samson the Player of the Tournament award.
KCA President Sreejith V Nair said the association wanted to recognise Samson’s contribution to the historic win.
“Sanju’s pivotal role in that historic victory isn’t just a chapter in cricket history-it’s a beacon for the next generation,” Nair said.
He added that the honour will make the stadium launch even more special for fans and players in the region.
“This gesture from his birthplace to Sanju-the man who has become synonymous with Indian cricket’s resurgence-will elevate the inauguration to an unforgettable spectacle, blending pride, progress, and passion for the game.”
The newly built stadium in Mangalapuram features modern pitches, floodlights, and training facilities. KCA hopes the venue will help strengthen cricket development in Thiruvananthapuram and provide better opportunities for young players.
The association believes the new infrastructure, along with role models like Samson, will encourage the next generation of Kerala cricketers to aim for the international stage.