Gambhir: Sanju's knock vs Windies was turning point

OPENER SCORED 321 RUNS TO EARN PLAYER OF TOURNAMENT AWARD

- BY JAI PRASAD V. RAI Assistant Editor

India's Sanju Samson celebrates with his coach Gautam Gambhir after their team's win in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

(AFP)

India head coach Gautam Gambhir credited Sanju Samson's explosive innings against the West Indies as the key turning point in India's triumphant T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

Speaking on a show in JioStar, Gambhir said Samson's unbeaten 97 in what he described as a "virtual quarterfinal" gave the team crucial belief at a decisive stage of the tournament.

"It's difficult to pick one moment, but I still believe Sanju's 97 against West Indies was the turning point of the campaign," Gambhir said. "He was making a comeback after missing four or five matches before the Zimbabwe game. Chasing 195 in a virtual quarterfinal in a World Cup match is never easy, regardless of the venue."