In an emotional interview ahead of the fifth T20I against Zimbabwe, Indian cricketer Sanju Samson opened up about the profound experience of winning the T20 World Cup last month. Samson, who was not part of the playing XI during the tournament, shared his feelings and experiences from the moment India clinched the T20 World Cup title in Barbados.
India’s dramatic win in the T20 World Cup final, where they defeated South Africa by a margin of 8 runs, ended an 11-year wait for an ICC title. The victory was secured in a tense finale, with South Africa needing 26 runs from the last 24 balls. Thanks to exceptional performances from Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh, India managed to restrict the Proteas to 169/8, sealing their win.
In his conversation with Sony Sports, Samson reflected on the joy and the emotional aftermath of the victory. “The photos are still coming on WhatsApp, coming from friends and social media,” Samson revealed, describing the ongoing flood of congratulatory messages he received. He continued, “It was an unbelievable experience right after the last ball of the 20th over when we won the final in Barbados. I couldn’t stop smiling for the next 1-2 hours actually; the emotions were so high.”
Samson, who did not play a single game throughout the tournament, was deeply moved by the team’s success. He said, “I believe I was very fortunate to be part of such a wonderful team. All credit goes to the BCCI, the coach, and captain, and everyone who contributed. It was a team effort, all guys made crucial efforts.”
Samson also expressed gratitude for being part of the squad despite not being selected for the playing XI. “I’m just grateful to have been part of this amazing journey,” he said. “Watching the matches from the sidelines, the feeling was just as intense, and the support from the entire squad was incredible.”
During the interview, Samson also talked about the emotional celebrations following the World Cup win. “We were all in tears, and the joy was indescribable,” he recalled. “It felt like a dream come true after such a long time without an ICC trophy.”
Samson is currently in Harare with the Indian team for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Reflecting on the series, which India won 3-1 with a commanding 10-wicket victory in the fifth T20I, he said, “The series win was important for us. It was a chance to keep the momentum going after the World Cup victory and continue to build on our success.”
Looking ahead to the future, Samson touched upon the potential for new players to step up in the Indian team. “There are so many young talents who can make a big impact in T20 cricket,” he noted. “The selectors have a lot of exciting choices to make for the upcoming series and tournaments.”
As the Indian team prepares for the final T20I of the series against Zimbabwe, Samson’s reflections offer a glimpse into the emotional and triumphant moments of the T20 World Cup campaign.
India’s World Cup victory and Samson’s heartfelt reflections underscore a memorable chapter in Indian cricket history, filled with hard-fought battles, team spirit, and the joy of reclaiming an ICC title after over a decade.
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