Gautam Gambhir gets massive credit for Sanju Samson's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup 2026 playing XI

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar credited Gautam Gambhir for including Sanju Samson in India's T20 World Cup 2026 playing XI. Pakistan's speed sensation Akhtar claimed that head coach Gambhir fought with everyone to include Chennai Super Kings' newly recruited wicketkeeper batter in the scheme of things of the T20 World Cup.

Samson, who was brought back into the team for the “virtual quarterfinal” against West Indies, delivered a stunning 97-run knock in a high-pressure chase. He followed that up with a quickfire 89 off 42 balls in the semi-final against England, helping India reach the final against New Zealand.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Axar Patel explains game-changing relay to Shivam Dube in India vs England T20 World Cup semifinal clash

Shoaib Akhtar on Sanju Samson's inclusion

Speaking on the show ‘Game On Hai’ on PTV Sports, Akhtar said Samson’s inclusion in the squad wouldn’t have been possible without Gambhir pushing for him.

"Samson has been in the Indian cricket circuit since 2014. Back in the days when I was working in India, around 2015, there was a lot of hype surrounding him. He had to wait for a long time to get regular chances as India had wicketkeepers like MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik and others. Even now, Gambhir has fought with everyone to get him into the team. Basically, his selection has been done forcefully and after a lot scrutiny. He didn't feature in the tournament initially," Akhtar said in a video shared by Tapmad.

Samson's performance in T20 World Cup 2026

In this World Cup, Samson has scored 232 runs in four matches at an impressive average of 77.33 and a strike rate of 201.73, including two fifties. His highest score of 97 not out came against West Indies in Kolkata during the virtual quarterfinal.

ALSO READ: 'Just tell him to...': Ravi Shastri breaks silence on India’s Abhishek Sharma dilemma ahead of T20 World Cup final vs New Zealand

After his 89 against England, Samson equalled Virat Kohli’s record for the most runs by an Indian in a T20 World Cup knockout game. Kohli had also scored 89 not out in the semifinal against West Indies in 2016 at the same venue.

Samson has smashed 16 sixes in this edition, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s 15 sixes from the 2024 World Cup, giving him the record for the most sixes by an Indian in a single T20 World Cup tournament.