New Delhi: The state of Kerala will accord an official reception to T20 World Cup’s player of the tournament Sanju Samson for being the architect of India’s successful title defence.

Samson struck three successive half centuries in do-or-die matches, including a 46-ball 89 with the help of five boundaries and eight sixes in the final in India’s 96-run victory in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The right hand batter, hailing from Kerala’s coastal town of Vizhinjam, has brought immense pride through his exceptional performance in the tournament, the state’s General Education and Labour minister V Sivankutty said on Monday while announcing the decision.

Sivankutty, however, didn’t mention when and where the reception will be held.

Samson had been criticised for a string of low scores in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand in the build-up to the T20 World Cup.

But in the final against the same opponent that the opener displayed his full range of stroke-making, prompting former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar to point out how the tables have turned for Samson in around a month.

“Life has come full circle for Sanju Samson. Before the 2026 T20 World Cup, he had a terrible series against New Zealand. He was dropped, then after the T20 World Cup started, he got a chance to play against Namibia, but his knock wasn’t enough to keep his spot,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

“He next played directly against Zimbabwe in the Super 8, but his real redemption began against West Indies in a virtual quarter-final.

“He played a flamboyant innings and looked in complete control. We know how skilled Sanju is. But to perform in a virtual quarter-final, in the semi-final against England and then in the all-important final against New Zealand is not easy.”