Sanju Samson sat quietly after hitting the winning runs against West Indies in Kolkata in a virtual quarter-final. His unbeaten 97 runs helped India reach the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. After years of criticism, social media backlash, and not getting a fixed place in the team despite making his debut more than a decade ago, this moment finally belonged to Sanju.
But Samson did not stop there.
In the semi-final, he continued his brilliant form and scored 89 off 42 balls, helping India post a massive 253/7 in 20 overs. After this performance, fans started comparing his innings to MS Dhoni’s iconic knock in the 2011 World Cup Final.
Dhoni had scored an unbeaten 91 against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium, while Gautam Gambhir made 97 runs as India lifted the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup after 28 years.
A Sanju Samson Show at Wankhede 🍿
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/LxSBs3EDPx#TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/lbBhfokEZK
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 5, 2026
Has India Found a New Anchor?
Sanju Samson stepped up for India in tricky situations in both matches. His innings included several sixes and boundaries, but he also rotated the strike well and attacked only the balls in his range. This approach is similar to how Virat Kohli has played for India for many years.
Kohli has produced several memorable performances in T20 World Cup knockout matches.
In the 2014 T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Mirpur, Kohli scored 72* off 44 balls to guide India to a six-wicket win. India reached the final but lost to Sri Lanka, although Kohli again impressed with 77 off 58.
In 2016, India faced Australia in a crucial Super 10 match. Chasing 160, Kohli played an incredible innings of 82* off 51 balls to take India home. In the semi-final against West Indies, India lost, but Kohli still scored 89* off 47.
Highest Score for India 🇮🇳 against Pakistan 🇵🇰 in T20 World
Virat Kohli – 82* in 2022.
Virat Kohli – 78* in 2012.
Gautam Gambhir – 75 in 2007.
Virat Kohli – 57 in 2021.
Virat Kohli – 55* in 2016.Dominance of King Kohli 👑 pic.twitter.com/ycAfEM8m5g
— Rakeshcricket (@Rcm494) February 15, 2026
India later faced England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, where Kohli scored 50 off 40, though England won the match by 10 wickets.
HIGHEST SCORE FOR INDIA AGAINST PAKISTAN IN T20 WORLD CUP:
Virat Kohli – 82* in 2022.
Virat Kohli – 78* in 2012.
Gautam Gambhir – 75 in 2007.
Virat Kohli – 57 in 2021.
Virat Kohli – 55* in 2016. pic.twitter.com/FNo8eb34yD— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) February 15, 2026
In the 2024 T20 World Cup Final against South Africa, Kohli saved his best for the last and scored 76 off 59, playing a key role in the match.
Cometh the hour, cometh Sanju Samson! 🫡
9⃣7⃣*(50) – A knock for the ages to take #TeamIndia into the semi-finals 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/ur4pr8Bi3K#T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #INDvWI | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/ftJRp2wMTE
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2026
Samson Showing Similar Traits
Over the years, Kohli has been India’s most dependable batter, especially in big chases. From the 2011 World Cup final to famous innings in Hobart against Sri Lanka and in Melbourne against Pakistan, Kohli has often taken responsibility in pressure situations.
Virat Kohli in ICC T20 World Cup Knockouts:
– 72*(44) in 2014 Semifinal.
– 77(58) in 2014 Final.
– 89*(47) in 2016 Semifinal.
– 50(40) in 2022 Semifinal.
– 76(59) in 2024 Final.King Kohli played 6 T20 WC Knockout matches & scored 5 fifty plus scores – THE GOAT. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/LdNk4cepRs
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) June 29, 2025
Now, Sanju Samson is slowly showing similar qualities.
In this World Cup, he anchored India’s innings in two crucial matches. He has shown in the past as well that when he faces 40–50 balls, he can convert his start into a big score. Samson already has three T20I centuries to his name.
If he continues this form, Samson could soon become India’s new anchor in T20Is.
Also Read: Jacob Bethell’s Hundred In Vain As India Beat England To Qualify For Final
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