India’s T20 World Cup hero Sanju Samson listens to Tamil superstar's songs for inspiration before big matches. Who is he?

Sanju Samson scripted history on March 1, leaving fans thrilled with his incredible performance. The cricketer’s smashing innings of 97 not out against West Indies helped India secure a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the sixth time. Beyond his match-winning heroics, a video of Samson recently went viral in which he shared an interesting source of inspiration he turns to before big matches.

Sanju Samson's historic knock in Kolkata

Samson’s unbeaten 97 off 50 balls guided India in a thrilling chase of 196 runs at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. His knock proved decisive as India clinched a five-wicket victory in a must-win encounter. This outstanding performance ensured that the team progressed to the semi-finals, keeping their hopes alive for the T20 World Cup trophy.



Fans got a glimpse of the cricketer’s mindset during an earlier interview on Ravichandran Ashwin’s show The Unexpected Guest on August 9, 2025. During the conversation, Ashwin asked Samson about his favourite cinematic hero and which film or actor motivates him before important matches.

Drawing inspiration from a Superstar

Sanju revealed that he is inspired by a legendary Tamil actor Rajinikanth, especially his larger-than-life entry scenes in films. He specifically mentioned the iconic silhouette scene from Baashaa, where the actor transitions from a humble auto-rickshaw driver to a feared gangster, as particularly motivating. “That scene is ‘vera level,’” Samson said, recalling how it fires him up before stepping onto the field.

The cricketer also shared that he has a playlist of about 10 songs from the superstar’s films, which he listens to when he needs a boost of energy or confidence. Tracks from the 2019 film Petta are among his favourites, helping him focus and psych himself up when he feels low or anxious before a match.


The actor in question, celebrated as Thalaiva (leader) by millions, has appeared in over 170 films across five decades, becoming a cultural icon in Tamil cinema. Known for his commanding screen presence, and signature style, he continues to inspire millions across India, including sports stars like Samson.

Currently, Rajinikanth is working on the sequel Jailer 2, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. He is also set to reunite with Kamal Haasan after 46 years, generating excitement among fans for this long-awaited collaboration.

Looking ahead in the World Cup

After his match-winning innings against West Indies, Samson and the Indian team will next face England in the semi-finals at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Stay tuned!