Sanju Samson was the hero behind India’s successful T20 World Cup 2026 qualification, and everyone is just ready to take the credit for his heroics, from the head coach Gautam Gambhir to the team management. But Mohammad Kaif has shockingly given credit to South Africa for the same.
Chasing 196 against West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash 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 the Eden Gardens. India won the match by five wickets to qualify for the semifinal.
Mohammad Kaif credits South Africa for Sanju Samson’s heroics
After the match, everyone is just singing praises for the Kerala cricketer. But the former Indian batter has a very different take on the same. Kaif feels South Africa also played a role in Samson’s heroics.
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The cricket pandit has pointed out that India’s heavy 76-run defeat against South Africa forced the team to change its combination. India had six left-hand batters in the top eight. The team needed balance, and that situation opened the door for Samson in the playing XI.
Mohammad Kaif said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, “Credit, in a way, goes to South Africa for defeating India badly, because that made the team rethink the combination. With six left-handed batters in the top eight, it felt that Sanju deserved a chance. He was brought in out of necessity, and then came this historic innings that has taken India into the semifinals.”
Now, after Kohli, it is Sanju Samson who has achieved this landmark-Sanju Samson
Kaif also mentioned that the Men in Blue had never chased 195 before in T20 World Cup history. He also explained why the Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s efforts were special. He noted, “In World Cup history, a 195-run target had never been chased before. India had previously managed chases around 160, with Virat Kohli playing a key role on those occasions.”
He added, “Now, after Kohli, it is Sanju Samson who has achieved this landmark, scripting history with a remarkable 195-run chase. What makes it even more special is that this was a player who had been on the sidelines throughout the World Cup, carrying drinks, dropped from the XI, and sitting out.”
Mohammad Kaif says Sanju Samson fully deserved his big moment
Meanwhile, the cricket pundit has explained that Samson truly deserved this big moment because he has scored more than 8,000 runs in domestic T20 cricket. He has played this format for many years and understands it very 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 fully in control and confident that he could win the match.
No one will forget this innings: Kaif
Kaif also said Samson waited many years for a proper T20 World Cup chance. When he finally got it, he made sure he used it fully. He signed off by saying, “After waiting so many years for a World Cup opportunity, he was determined to make it count. He stayed out and finished the match.
In my opinion, this innings was destined to come from his bat. There may be delays in life, but justice is never denied. Everyone eventually gets a chance to show what they are capable of. And this innings, played at the historic Eden Gardens, is something no one will forget.”
Read Also: Gautam Gambhir takes credit for Sanju Samson’s heroics vs WI: “It’s all about backing him”
