Sanju Samson says direct hotline to Sachin Tendulkar changed his mindset during tough phase: 'I reached out to sir...'

Sanju Samson was dropped from the India Playing XI at the start of the 2026 T20 World Cup, but by the end of the tournament, he finished as the team's leading run-scorer and also bagged the Player of the Tournament award. Samson smashed three back-to-back fifties in three knockout matches to help India lift the title.

Samson's turnaround emerged as one of the most remarkable stories of the tournament, where he cemented his place not just in the team but also in the memories of Indian fans.

In the final against New Zealand, Samson once again scored 89 to become only the second Indian batter to smash a hat-trick of half-centuries at a single edition of the T20 World Cup. He was India's top-scorer in the game where the Men in Blue crushed the Kiwis by 96 runs to win their third title.

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Samson reached out to Sachin

After the match, Samson revealed that he had reached out to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar during his tough phase. The Kerala wicket-keeper batter said that he had long conversations with Tendulkar, who is regarded as the greatest batter in the history of the sport.

"From the last couple of months - I hope I can share it here - I've been in constant touch with Sachin sir. When I was sitting outside in Australia (in October)… I wasn't playing a game, I thought about what mindset is required," Samson revealed while collecting his Player of the Tournament award.

"I reached out to sir and had huge conversations with him. Even yesterday (day before final) night, he called me up to check how I am feeling. Getting guidance from someone like him - that clarity, game preparation, awareness and game sense - I'm grateful for everyone who supported me."

Samson was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team as well, but could not get a game. At this edition, he was almost set to enter as the opener before a loss of form right before the tournament led to him getting benched.

India's struggles at the top led to Samson getting the chance to open once again and he grabbed the chance with both hands. He finished as the third-highest run-getter of the tournament with 321 runs despite playing only five games. He also ended up with 24 sixes, the highest in the tournament.