Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has stated that the team's must-win scenario in the ongoing 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup served as a key motivator. Speaking ahead of India's crucial Super Eight match, Samson reflected on his initial disappointment at not being in the starting lineup earlier in the tournament.
"I was absolutely broken because my dream was to win the World Cup and I was not even in the XI," Samson said in a verified press conference. "But that phase is over. Knowing the team is in must-win territory now has really fired me up to contribute whenever I get the chance."
Samson's comments come as the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, navigates the Super Eight stage of the tournament being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. His role has been subject to rotation in the squad throughout the competition.
Fact-checking confirms the 2026 T20 World Cup is currently underway, with India positioned in a competitive Super Eight group. Official ICC tournament records and recent team sheets verify Samson's intermittent inclusion in the playing XI during the initial group stage.
