Sanju Samson scripted the most important chapter of his scarcely believable career when India took on New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
In a World Cup where he was not expected to get many chances, Samson finished as the most valuable player of the tournament after India emphatically beat New Zealand by 96 runs to defend their title.
But Samson was not Player of the Match despite scoring 89. That award was given to fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Only days ago, during the semifinal against England, it was Samson who took the award, for an identical score, and at the time he was emphatic that Bumrah should have received the honour.
"All credit goes to Bumrah," Samson said after picking up his award in the semi-final. "This should go to him, actually. If he didn't bowl that way in the death overs, I would not be standing here."
This was not just false modesty, it was a mature batter realising that his place in the larger scheme of things had been made so much easier by an ace teammate.
