Rahul Rawat: Sanju Samson 2.0, From No Nets Before USA Match to Match-Winner in T20 World Cup 2026

Before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, the New Zealand national cricket team series was disappointing for Sanju Samson and things were not going in his favor. According to cricket analyst Rahul Rawat, it was a very difficult phase for Sanju because he was not getting opportunities while other players were playing regularly. Rawat even revealed that before the match against the United States national cricket team, Sanju Samson was not even getting batting time in the nets, which made the situation even more frustrating for him. Watching everyone else get chances while he waited on the sidelines was emotionally tough for the experienced wicketkeeper-batter. However, things changed during the tournament when the team management had to rethink the batting combination. With Abhishek Sharma struggling to find form and Ishan Kishan getting trapped early against off-spinners, the batting lineup of the India national cricket team started facing problems. The presence of too many left-handed batters in the top order was making things easier for opposition off-spinners. That’s when the management decided to bring in Sanju Samson to add balance with a right-hand option and more experience in the middle order. Sanju grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Against the South Africa national cricket team, he played a sensational innings of 97 runs, showing fearless stroke play and calm temperament under pressure. The performance immediately turned the spotlight on him, and it felt like a completely different version of the player had arrived on the world stage. The real statement came in the semifinal, where Sanju Samson smashed a blazing 89-run knock, proving his value in the biggest moments of the tournament. His aggressive yet controlled batting showed the maturity of a player with over 12 years of international experience, and many fans started calling this version “Sanju Samson 2.0.” From not getting nets before the USA match to becoming one of the most impactful performers in the knockout stage, Sanju Samson’s journ