The gates of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport have seen many dignitaries, but on Monday, they saw a homecoming like no other. IndiaLeading wicketkeeper-batsman of, sanju samsonReturns to his roots in Kerala after career-defining campaign 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The atmosphere was electrifying with thousands of fans draped in the Indian tricolor and chanting slogans.Sanju, Sanju,” gathered hours before their flight was to land. The local hero from the coastal village of Vizhinjam didn’t just return with a winner’s medal; he returned to be officially crowned best player of the tournamentAn achievement that has instilled a sense of collective pride across the state.
Sanju Samson gets warm welcome at Thiruvananthapuram airport
Upon his arrival, Samson was welcomed by a crowd of supporters with a loud roar. Education Minister representing the State Government V. Shivankutty were present to welcome the champion, and presented him a ceremonial memento and a traditional Kerala shawl. The minister said that Sanju’s journey is a ray of hope for every young athlete in the region.
Despite the chaos of the cheering crowd, Samson was overwhelmed by the reception and waved to his fans. For a player who has often faced the mercurial tag, this homecoming was the ultimate validation. The Kerala government has already announced plans for a grand, formal state reception to honor his contribution to India’s successful defense of the T20 World Cup title.
Here is the video:
Sanju Samson received a grand welcomepic.twitter.com/Ozq7D7QMRa
– Aatish Kapoor Oscar Winner (@AkashThapa2505) 10 March 2026
Also read: Complete list of T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament winners, Sanju Samson
Samson’s dream run in T20 World Cup 2026
Samson’s journey to the Player of the Tournament award was a story of resilience. After being dropped early in the tournament following poor performances during the New Zealand bilateral series, he was recalled to the XI at a crucial juncture. After this, there was a triple feast of match-winning innings which will be recorded in the history of cricket.
- Super Eight Spark: against west indiesIndia faced a challenging target of 196 runs. Samson silenced his critics by playing an unbeaten innings. 97 runs on 50 ballsShifting the momentum of the tournament in India’s favour.
- Wankhede Attack: in a high-pressure semi-final against Englandhe equalized Virat KohliRecords the highest score by an Indian in a T20WC knockout, a breathtaking inning of 89 runs in 42 balls.
- Ahmedabad Final: Saving his best for the grandest stage, Samson scored another 89 in the final new zealand. His 46-ball masterclass at the Narendra Modi Stadium took India to a record-breaking 255/5, the highest score ever in a T20 World Cup final.
Samson ended the tournament with 321 runs and a record-breaking 24 sixes, the most by any player in a single edition. During the post-tournament celebrations, Sanju attributed his turnaround to envisioning success during his time on the bench in 2024 and receiving technical guidance from the legend. Sachin Tendulkar.