Four days in Thiruvananthapuram: The groundwork behind Samson's 97

While Eden Gardens in Kolkata erupted with each of Sanju Samson's boundaries on Sunday night, Zubin Bharucha watched intently from the UAE. Bharucha has known Samson since the player was 17 and has been part of his journey for nearly a decade. Watching Samson's unbeaten 97 to secure India's semifinal berth brought a deep sense of gratification.

"It's crazy out here at the moment. Coming to Sanju, I've known him for 10 years, and last night's innings was a true reflection of what he is capable of. He has never been short of ability, talent, or commitment. It was a classic knock full of timing and temperament," Bharucha told Cricbuzz after India's must-win victory over West Indies.

"Sanju possesses a rare and remarkable gift for striking a cricket ball. His long, exaggerated backlift gives him a quality of timing that others can only aspire to. There is an unmistakable touch of genius in the way the ball leaves his bat."

Of the 12 fours and four sixes, Bharucha highlighted the shot in the final over that left India just one run short. "That was the shot of the night for me. How easily, effortlessly, and assuredly he lofted it over mid-wicket. When in full flow, Sanju is as good as any batter in India. At the heart of it all lies that long, unending backlift. It is both the source of his greatest strength and the reason his batting appears so effortless."

Before the T20I series against New Zealand last month, Samson invited Bharucha to Thiruvananthapuram. They worked together for four days and nights at the Kerala Cricket Association academy, practising on all kinds of pitches—red soil, black soil, and cement—during the day and under lights at night. They faced every variety of bowler: pacers, spinners, and side-arm specialists.

The veteran coach admits the results were not immediate—Samson managed 46 runs in five T20Is against New Zealand—but he remained convinced that many elements of his game fell into place during that intensive stint.

"As is often the case with him, the journey began quietly and diligently. A four-day camp was organised with a singular objective: to leave no stone unturned in preparation for the World Cup. He trained on multiple surfaces, faced a variety of deliveries, and worked against an array of spinners and fast bowlers. It was preparation as comprehensive as one could design. Results against New Zealand did not come immediately. Yet the abiding impression I took was unmistakable: he was playing some extraordinary cricket shots, and something special felt imminent."

Samson confessed to having self-doubts. "It means the whole world actually to me. I think right from the day I started playing, I started dreaming to play for the country. I think this is the day I was waiting for. I've always had a very special journey with lots of ups and downs, but I've kept on doubting myself. But I kept on believing and thanks to the Lord Almighty for actually blessing me today," he said after being named Player of the Match.

Bharucha is convinced that patience and belief have paid off. "For reasons unknown, it did not materialise in that series. The World Cup campaign seemed uncertain. Then, almost as if ordained, the moment arrived—an innings years in the making, when preparation, patience, and opportunity finally converged."