Sanju Samson Continues Malayali Legacy In India's T20 World Cup 2024 Win

India secured their first ICC trophy in 11 years by defeating South Africa by seven runs in the T20 World Cup 2024 final at Kensington Oval, Barbados, on June 29. This victory marks India's first T20 World Cup win in 17 years and their first World Cup trophy (T20I or ODI) in 13 years.

India had faced several disappointments before this triumph. They lost the ODI World Cup final in 2023, the World Test Championship finals in 2021 and 2023, the T20 World Cup final in 2014, and the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2017. Additionally, they were eliminated in the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cups in 2016 and 2022.

Interestingly, all Indian teams that have won ICC World Cups included at least one Malayali player. This 'Mallu Factor' is believed by some to be a lucky charm for India. Despite not playing any matches, Sanju Samson was part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 winning squad.

The match against South Africa seemed almost lost when they needed just 30 runs off the last 30 balls with six wickets remaining. However, India showcased their resilience and clinched a seven-wicket victory, proving once again why cricket is an unpredictable sport.

India made history by becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup without losing a single match. Their performance on the field was exceptional throughout the tournament.

Sunil Valson was part of Kapil Dev's squad that won the 1983 World Cup but did not play any matches. Similarly, Sanju Samson did not play any games during India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign but was still part of the winning squad.

Key Malayali Players

S Sreesanth played crucial roles in India's two previous World Cup wins: the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011. Robin Uthappa, who is half Malayali, was also part of India's T20 World Cup-winning team in 2007.

This victory brings immense joy to Indian cricket fans who have been waiting for a major ICC trophy for over a decade. The team's perseverance and ability to perform under pressure were key factors in their success.