"I never wanted to be selfless": Sanju Samson takes swipe at Gautam Gambhir after T20 World Cup win

Sanju Samson has been one of the finest cricketers for India. The wicket-keeper batter was excellent during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He was the leading run getter for India with 321 runs and an average of over 80. Sanju scored three back-to-back fifties in the tournament and won the Player of the Tournament.

Sanju surpassed the record of Virat Kohli for scoring the most runs by an Indian in a single edition of the T20 World Cup. Samson scored 97*, 89, and 89 against the West Indies, England, and New Zealand. The Kerala-born batter missed out on centuries on three occasions; however, he kept his team ahead of his personal milestones.

I've always wanted to be myself- Sanju Samson

However, after the T20 World Cup triumph, Samson takes a subtle dig at the team India head coach, stating that he never believed in playing selflessly and preferred to focus on performing his natural role for the team.

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Gambhir has been a firm believer in putting the team ahead of personal milestones, and it has been the philosophy of the Men in Blue side after he took over the head coach role.

While speaking with ANI, he said, "I never wanted to be selfless. I've always wanted to be myself. So I bring a lot of different qualities, lot of strengths, a lot of weaknesses... I like to look at cricket as a team sport. So I think we play to win."

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Team India star and Player of the Tournament of #ICCT20WorldCup, Sanju Samson, says, "I never wanted to be selfless. I've always wanted to be myself. So I bring a lot of different qualities, lot of strengths, a lot of weaknesses... I like to… pic.twitter.com/VnPjuCRIuY

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

"And looking at what things have happened in my life lately, I definitely carry a lot of dreams with me. So a lot of youngsters, a lot of people, not even in cricket, a lot of people in different careers, they look at me like their own careers, like their own life."

It was a very emotional message for me- Sanju Samson

Sanju further said, about speaking with Sachin Tendulkar, "I got a message from Sachin sir. It was a very emotional message for me. Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) and I have a very old relationship. I think I met him when I was in KKR. He was the captain of the team and he also lives in Delhi. I also played in the same academy where he was."

Sanju was not part of the playing XI of the major tournament during the initial phases. After the loss against South Africa in the Super 8 game, the management was forced to include Sanju Samson in the playing XI. He added more firepower and also neutrilised the off-spin tactics of the opponents.

Samson will be donning the yellow jersey

Since Sanju was added to the squad, the Men in Blue side did not lose a single game and won their third T20 World Cup title. Sanju Samson will be seen playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and has been one of the most in-form batters coming onto the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL).

Sanju Samson was traded to CSK from Rajasthan Royals, and the trade included Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Sanju will be receiving an amount of INR 18 crore from his new franchise.

Also Read: "I don’t let emotions rule"- Sanju Samson makes fire shots at former team Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026