Sanju Samson was the hero behind India’s successful T20 World Cup 2026 qualification and everyone from head coach Gautam Gambhir to the team management is ready to take credit for his heroics. But Mohammad Kaif surprisingly gave the credit for this to South Africa.
While chasing 196 runs against West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match on March 1, Samson played one of the best innings of his career – 97 not out from 50 balls. He hit 12 fours and four sixes at Eden Gardens. India won this match by five wickets and made it to the semi-finals.
Mohammad Kaif gave credit to Sanju Samson’s bravery to South Africa
After the match everyone is praising the Kerala cricketer. But the former Indian batsman has a very different view on this. Kaif feels that South Africa also played a role in Samson’s bravery.
Also read: Sourav Ganguly praises Sanju Samson’s heroics against West Indies and targets Shubman Gill
Cricket pundit has pointed out that India’s heavy 76-run defeat against South Africa forced the team to change its combination. India had six left-handed batsmen in the top eight. The team needed balance and that situation opened the door for Samson to make the playing eleven.
“In a way, credit goes to South Africa for beating India badly because it forced the team to rethink the combination. With six left-handers in the top eight, it felt like Sanju deserved a chance. He was brought in out of necessity, and then came this historic innings that took India into the semi-finals,” Mohammad Kaif said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
Now after Kohli, Sanju Samson has achieved this position – Sanju Samson
Kaif also mentioned that the Men in Blue had never chased 195 before in the history of the T20 World Cup. He also explained why the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman’s efforts were special. “In the history of the World Cup, a target of 195 had never been chased before. India had previously been successful in chasing targets around 160, with Virat Kohli playing a key role on those occasions,” he said.
He further added, “Now, after Kohli, this feat has been achieved by Sanju Samson, who has created history by chasing a remarkable target of 195 runs. What makes it even more special is that this was a player who was on the sidelines during the entire World Cup, having drinks, was dropped from the XI and was sitting out.”
Mohammad Kaif says Sanju Samson completely deserved this big moment
Meanwhile, cricket pundits have pointed out that Samson really deserved this big moment as he has scored more than 8,000 runs in domestic T20 cricket. He has played this format for many years and understands it well.
Kaif pointed out how calm Samson looked during the tough chase. The required run rate was around 10 runs per over, but Samson did not panic. He hit boundaries at the right time, took easy singles and ran between the wickets without any pressure. Kaif said that Sanju looked in complete control and was confident that he could win the match.
No one will forget this innings: Kaif
Kaif also said that Samson waited for many years for a proper T20 World Cup opportunity. When he finally got it, he made sure to make full use of it. He signed off by saying, “After waiting so many years for a World Cup opportunity, he was determined to make it worthwhile. He stayed out and finished the match.
In my opinion, this innings was destined to come from his bat. Life may be delayed, but justice is never denied. Everyone finally gets a chance to show what they are capable of. And no one will forget this innings played at the historic Eden Gardens.”
ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir takes credit for Sanju Samson’s heroics against West Indies: “It’s all about supporting him”
