India batter credits T20 World Cup success for return to form

Chasing 160 after Afghanistan posted 159/8, India raced to 163/3 in just 14.5 overs. Opening batter Sanju Samson provided the early impetus, smashing 57 from 22 balls, while Abhishek Sharma contributed 39 from 19 as the pair added 88 in 6.2 overs. India had already reached 82/0 at the end of the Powerplay.

Samson's innings was particularly significant given the scrutiny surrounding his place in India's side, despite representing the side over 60 times in T20Is and smashing three hundreds.

The wicket-keeper-batter had endured a difficult run of scores coming into the match, with scores of 5, 0, 1, 27, 10 in his five outings prior to this, but responded with a whirlwind half-century, reaching his fifty from just 20 balls.

For Samson, however, the approach behind the innings was less about an individual comeback and more about continuing the method that has brought India success in T20I cricket.

"I think it is the nature of the format and the nature of the way we have been playing for the last two-to-three years," Samson said.

“We are actually the world champions now and we have a format and an approach which has been very successful. We are just following it as we were following it last two-to-three years."

India's aggressive approach has been central to their success, including their triumph at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Samson was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. 

He produced scores of 97*, 89 and 89 in India's final three matches, with his last two innings coming in the semi-final and final against England and New Zealand respectively.

That tournament run has shaped Samson's perspective on how he approaches the shortest format.

"Just watching the ball and just trying to get maximum out in the Powerplay and sometimes it works out well, sometimes it doesn't work out well. That is where my experience comes in," Samson noted.

“I try to shut out the noise and try to be confident and try to come out and still keep scoring at a high strike rate."

The 31-year-old also explained the balance required between maintaining India's attacking intent and finding consistency as an individual batter.

"We have to strike at 200 strike rate and you just have to hit a six or four off every ball. I think then you can't think about consistency or you can't think about scoring your own runs," Samson said.

“Consistency has to be in the frame of mind which you are looking at and then whatever happens, happens. That's what fearless mindset is called.”

For Samson, the journey from being outside India's initial XI at the T20 World Cup to becoming the tournament's leading individual award winner has reinforced the value of staying true to his approach.

"My international career has been very good. The World Cup has also helped a lot," he added.

“Whatever pressure you are in, you kind of realise what type of a player you are and you just try to go out there and express yourself, keeping your team in front."

With India now holding a 2-0 lead, the series concludes with the third T20I on 17 September.

Series Schedule: 

First T20I - India won by seven wickets

Second T20I - India won by seven wickets 

Third T20I - 17 September, Delhi