India national cricket team batter Sanju Samson received a rousing welcome at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Monday after returning home following India’s triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Large numbers of fans gathered at the airport to catch a glimpse of the Kerala-born cricketer. As Samson walked out of the terminal, supporters cheered loudly and chanted his name before he thanked them for the warm reception and left for his home.
Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty was present at the airport to welcome the wicketkeeper-batter, who played a key role in India’s successful campaign and was named the Player of the Tournament. Sivankutty had earlier said the Kerala state government would organize an official reception in Thiruvananthapuram to honor Samson for his contribution to India’s World Cup victory.
India defeated New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday to retain the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. With the victory, the Men in Blue became the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil and the first to successfully defend the title. India also made history by becoming the first nation to win the tournament three times, after earlier victories in 2007 and 2024.
Samson emerged as one of India’s standout performers during the tournament and was named the Player of the Tournament. His campaign began with a crucial half-century against West Indies in the Super Eight stage, and he continued his strong form through the knockout matches and the final.
Although India played nine matches in the tournament, Samson featured in five. In those games, he produced three half-centuries in key matches and finished with 321 runs at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37, including 27 fours and 24 sixes.
His tally also surpassed Virat Kohli’s previous record of 319 runs for India in a single T20 World Cup edition, set during the 2014 tournament.
Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan ended the competition as the leading run-scorer with 383 runs at an average of 76.60 and a strike rate of 160.25, including two centuries and two half-centuries.
Samson’s performances marked a remarkable comeback after a difficult phase earlier in his international career. He had scored just 46 runs in five innings against New Zealand before the tournament and had lost his place in the playing XI to Ishan Kishan.
However, when India’s left-handed-heavy top order struggled against off-spin, Samson was brought back into the lineup and seized the opportunity. From the crucial Super Eight match against West Indies to the final against New Zealand, he impressed with fluent stroke play and consistency.
After the victory, Samson also expressed gratitude to his wife, Charulatha, in a post on Instagram.
“Right from the day I met you till this day of my life, thank you so very much for being by my side, loving me for who I am and being absolutely true and honest to me,” Samson wrote. “You have seen my best side and my worst side and still stood strong by me. Thank you for understanding how big cricket is in my life and making it the same for you.”
He also shared photos with Charulatha, including one from their earlier days together and another showing the couple holding the T20 World Cup trophy after the final.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Samson said he struggled emotionally after being dropped from the playing XI during the 2024 T20 World Cup campaign but continued to believe in his abilities.
“After the New Zealand series, I was broken. My dreams were completely shattered and I was thinking about what I could do,” Samson said. “But God had different plans, and I was rewarded for being brave enough to dream.”
He also revealed that he had been in regular contact with batting legend Sachin Tendulkar in recent months, seeking advice and guidance during the challenging phase of his career.
“A lot of former players reached out and tried to help me. For the last couple of months I have been in constant contact with Sachin sir. Getting guidance from someone like him — what more can you ask for?” Samson said.
He added that winning the World Cup was a special moment and said he intends to enjoy the achievement before thinking about the next goals in his career.