It is one thing to build an inning of momentum and credibility, even if in a must-win pivotal contest for your country, such as the one Sanju Samson constructed the other evening (at Eden Gardens in Kolkata) against the West Indies (big Super 8 clash). But it’s something quite different and a whole new level of initiative to build a brand new inning in a World Cup’s semi final. The latter is what, precisely speaking, the amazing Sanju Samson did just a couple of hours ago as his India faced yet another must win contest, only this time against arcnrivals, England.

The scene, you could note as a doting cricket fan, changed; from the breezy comfort of watching electrifying cricket at the Eden Gardens to the pulsating rhythm of Mumbai’s Wankhede. There was a shift of dates; it was March 1 and the venue was Calcutta as seen earlier and this time around, it was March 4 at the spiritual home of the game in India- Mumbai.

What didn’t change, not a bit in fact, was the sheer intent and commitment of one of Indian Cricket’s perpetually existing and much adored enigmas: Sanju Samson.  

Frankly speaking, if the flamboyant right hander’s resilient 97 run knock a few days ago furthered India’s ambitions towards defending their crown in this series, his 89 at Mumbai, united a country often torn in its views and perception about a very passionate and unique cricketer whose purpose in life is to bat. And bat with an intent and cause for Indian cricket.

A cricketer crazily talented and well liked enough to draw warm hugs from members of the very team he battled and ultimately batted out of the contest; if you think Shimron Hetmyer’s brotherly hug around Sanju’s shoulders at Calcutta wasn’t one of the World Cup’s finest sights, then truly your cricketing universe merely exists for stats and number crunching. Not emotions, not sportsmanship either!

While he was controlled in his exhibition of power hitting against the likes of Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie and Shamar Joseph the other evening, Sanju Samson was more brutal and more forthcoming versus his English opponents. Just how often does a cricketer send someone of the class and build of Jofra Archer to the upper tier of Wankhede for a dismissive six?

There are some who are brutes with the bat. There are some who are simply elegant. But there can only be one Sanju Samson, born in Kerala, loved around India and respected even globally who can combine a sense of elegance to the art of batting butchery.

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So if you were to think that the pocket rocket style cricketer was simply as good as his half century against the West Indies and was to go no further than that, then perhaps on March 5, 2026, Samson served a lesson in quiet humility.

He reminded us fans- ever so gently- that he wasn’t done yet. Not yet. And that his 89 off just 42, featuring 7 sixes, was the classical example of a cricketer wanting to build more, score boldly, always wanting to put the condition and fate of his team over his own ambitions. Sanju Samson, at this time, seems just unstoppable. May that remain the case for India’s good.