Sanju Samson delivered a match-winning unbeaten 97 off 50 balls against West Indies at Eden Gardens, guiding India to a five-wicket victory and a place in the Twenty20 World Cup semifinals. Watching from Dubai, his long-time coach Zubin Bharucha expressed immense pride, reflecting on his journey with Samson since the batter was a teenager.

Bharucha described Samson’s greatest strength as resilience, highlighting his ability to return strongly after setbacks, including being dropped following a lean run in the series against New Zealand. He spoke about a rare ‘purity’ in Samson’s batting, calling it almost spiritual in nature and rooted in his character and values.

The coach revealed that before the global tournament, they worked extensively in Thiruvananthapuram to prepare for every possible challenge. Though initial results were disappointing, Samson rediscovered form when it mattered most. Bharucha pointed to technical elements such as his high backlift and hand positioning, comparing his elegance and timing to that of Brian Lara.

Recalling other standout performances, including a century against South Africa on a challenging pitch, Bharucha emphasized that true growth happens in match situations. Despite the recent heroics, he maintained that this achievement is only the beginning for Samson.