India hero Sanju Samson reveals 'constant' Sachin Tendulkar advice after T20 World Cup win over New Zealand - 'What more can I ask for?'
Published 08/03/2026 at 19:26 GMT
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Co-hosts India became the first side to retain the men's T20 World Cup on Sunday when they defeated New Zealand, winning by 96 runs. Player of the tournament Sanju Samson scored a brilliant 89 off 46 deliveries to propel his side to victory and, speaking after the win, he revealed that he had been in "constant" contact with Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar for advice.
Highlights: Jacks, Ahmed guide England to victory over New Zealand
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sanju Samson revealed the guidance from Sachin Tendulkar that helped him rediscover his form, after the opening batter helped fire his India side to T20 World Cup glory against New Zealand.
Samson scored 89 off 46 balls as he led the charge from the opening over as the co-hosts reached a total of 255-5 before they then went on to win by 96 runs as they retained their crown.
Speaking after his side’s victory, Samson explained how much he had been struggling with his game, but did not give up on his hopes of a return to the top of the sport.
The player of the tournament said: "It feels like a dream. Very happy, very grateful. Out of words, out of emotions, it's a bit surreal.
"I think this started two years ago. In 2024, I couldn't get a game. I started working. This is exactly what I wanted to achieve. After the New Zealand series I was broke, but I was courageous enough to dream about it."
He then said that over the past two months, he had been communicating with Indian cricketing legend Tendulkar for advice as their country progressed through the tournament.
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He continued: "The last couple of months I have been in constant touch with Sachin Tendulkar. When I was outside the team in Australia I reached out to him. Yesterday he called me up, getting guidance from him.
"What more can I ask for? This is very big for me. I need to enjoy it for now and then figure out what next to do."
The win means that India are the first team to retain the men’s T20 World Cup, and means they have won the last three major men’s white-ball competitions after claiming the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
‘We kept calm and never panicked’ - Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah bowled his full allocation of four overs, conceding just 15 runs and taking four wickets, with 12 dot balls ramping up the pressure.
That earned him the player of the match award and he reflected on how much the victory affected him.
"It feels special because I played one final at my home venue [against Australia in 2023] and couldn't win that one," he said. "I was really motivated today and used all my experience on a flat wicket. It went exactly as planned.
"Before this tournament I was in that zone where I was trying too hard, but in this format I let the game come to me. I read the situation and believed in myself. I couldn't be happier and it's special to win man of the match in the World Cup final on my home ground."
He added: "Everybody in the bowling group came up with their options throughout the tournament. We kept calm and never panicked. We always felt we could keep our heads above the water."
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