Gavaskar Compares Samson to Cricket Icon Viv Richards
After India’s big win at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, cricket great Sunil Gavaskar pointed out how much Sanju Samson reminds him of West Indies legend Vivian Richards. Samson was key for India, helping them reach the semi-finals and scoring big runs when it counted most. Just like Richards used to do, Samson made opposing teams nervous just by stepping onto the field.
Samson’s Blistering Performance
In the tournament, Samson played with an incredible strike rate of 199.37. His powerful hitting, especially his pull and hook shots, dominated bowlers. Gavaskar noted that seeing Samson face fast bowlers like Jofra Archer was similar to watching Viv Richards in his prime—full of power and confidence.
Classic Batting in a Fast-Paced Game
Gavaskar also praised Samson for playing traditional, clean cricket shots even in T20 cricket, where many batsmen focus only on big hits. He said Samson showed that you can score runs with proper technique, much like Virat Kohli does. This mix of old-school style and modern aggression made Samson stand out.
Both Openers Proved Their Worth
India showed faith in both Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, even when Sharma was out of form. In the final, Sharma repaid that trust with a super-fast half-century. Together, they opened with 98 runs in just 43 balls, setting up India’s victory. Gavaskar highlighted how both players delivered when it mattered most, justifying the team’s belief in them.
