'I would like to keep that celebration personal'; Sanju's response after guiding team to victory

KOLKATA: India entered the semifinals of the ongoing T20 World Cup after defeating West Indies by five wickets in the Super 8 clash. A brilliant batting display by Kerala star Sanju Samson powered India to victory. Sanju scored a magnificent 97 off just 50 balls. Chasing a challenging target of 196 set by the West Indies, India sealed the win in the final over of the match.

Sanju’s celebration after hitting the winning run quickly became a talking point among fans. He was seen kneeling on the pitch, looking up at the sky, and offering a prayer. The emotional moment went viral on social media within minutes. A video shared by the ICC on Instagram has crossed over 25 million views, while pictures posted by the BCCI have also received massive engagement. Images of Sanju praying in the dressing room later have further captured fans’ attention.

Speaking after the match, Sanju said, “It was a very special moment. I am a person who believes in God. I would like to keep that celebration personal.”

Explaining his approach during the chase, he said, “Usually, when I get a good start, I try to accelerate and finish the game quickly. But when wickets kept falling at the other end, I felt it was important to take the game deep. My goal was to stay at the crease and ensure the team wins.”

Sanju also reflected on the difficult phase he went through earlier in his career. “During my poor form, I switched off my phone and stayed completely away from social media. I focused on improving myself. I worked hard without changing my batting style. This victory is the result of that effort. This is a day every cricketer in India dreams of. For a boy from Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to win a crucial match for the country is truly special. I dared to dream, and today that dream has come true,” he added.