The Kerala government will honour cricketer Sanju Samson with a civic reception, recognising his role as the “architect” of India’s march to victory in the T20 World Cup finals on Sunday (March 8, 2026). Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has told reporters that the government has communicated the decision to Mr. Samson and was awaiting the cricketer’s nod.
On Monday (March 9, 2026), television camera crews descended on Mr. Samson’s hometown at Vizhinjam, a coastal neighbourhood 20 km from Thiruvananthapuram, to broadcast memories of Mr. Samson’s school days shared by his neighbours, relatives, and friends. Local residents had set up large screens on the beach to watch the finals Sunday night. The celebrations, including fireworks, continued well into the dawn. Cricket fans from across the district trickled into the church playground where Mr. Samson had practised as a schoolboy.
‘Had big conversations’: Sanju Samson credits Sachin Tendulkar’s guidance for success in T20 World Cup
Townspeople recalled Mr. Samson as an aspiring sportsperson back then. “He always needed somebody to bowl to him, and we obliged. It was difficult to fox him at the nets,” a resident told reporters.
