Formation of Pakistan Speed ​​Racers Shoaab Akhtar Praise for Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir for support Sanzhou SamsonHis fiery performances with the bat have become one of the biggest talking points in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.After India’s loss to South Africa (actually a knockout match against the West Indies Cricket Team), Samson was reinstated in the Indian starting XI. The wicketkeeper-batsman seized the opportunity with grace and scored a brilliant 97 in a tense chase to lead India to victory. He carried the momentum into the semi-finals, scoring a stunning 89 runs off just 42 balls, helping India defeat the England cricket team and book a spot in the final against New Zealand.
Speaking on PTV Sports’ ‘Game On Hai’, Akhtar explained that Samson’s return was not an easy decision. According to the former pacer, Gambhir must be a strong advocate for the inclusion of batsmen in the team management structure.“Samson has been part of the Indian cricket circuit since 2014. Back around 2015, when I was working in India, there was a lot of hype around him. He had to wait a long time to get regular opportunities because India had wicketkeepers like MS DhoniDinesh Karthik et al. Even now, Gambhir is working with everyone to get him in the team. Basically, his choices were made after rigorous scrutiny. He did not participate in the game initially,” Akhtar said in a video shared by Tapmad.Samson’s performance in the Championship underlined his exceptional form. In four games so far, he has amassed 232 runs at an average of 77.33 and a strike rate of 201.73, including two half-centuries. His highest score remains an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in the virtual quarter-finals in Kolkata.The 31-year-old also had his name engraved on the side Virat Kohli after his semi-final heroics. Samson’s 89 against England equaled Kohli’s highest score for an Indian in a T20 World Cup knockout match. Kohli scored the same 89 not out off 47 balls against West Indies in the 2016 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-finals at the same venue.Samson also dominated the tournament’s six-hit leaderboard. With his highest score of 16, he broke India’s previous record of 15 sixes in a single T20 World Cup match, set by Rohit Sharma In the 2024 edition.
