Editorial
That Silent Prayer was the Loudest Thanks giving
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 04-Mar-2026
In a country where cricket is not just a game but considered next only to religion, a spectacle unfolded on March 1 inside the mammoth and iconic Eden Gardens cricket stadium in Kolkata, where the Indian and West Indies teams played the last of the Super Eight encounters of the 2026 World Cup. In a must-win match for both the teams known for their explosive batting prowess, India enjoyed a small edge by winning the toss, and Captain Surya Kumar Yadav was quick in deciding to bowl first. Halfway into the match, cricket fans and the pundits of the game thought that the game was all done for India when the West Indies set a stiff target of 195 despite a strong comeback by the Indian bowlers.
The Indian hope of seeing their team qualify for the semi-final further received a beating when two of their most explosive batsmen, Abhisek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, were removed cheaply, compelling them to sit and rue their failure from the pavilion. The removal of the Indian team’s two most prolific batsmen, known for their fearless approach to the game, however, did not deter Sanju Samson, who in recent times has not been a regular in the Indian team – often sidelined for no apparent reasons and at times due to his own failures to grab opportunities provided to him with both hands. He was determined to script a history that will long be remembered in the cricketing circles and lovers of the game. He played an epic inning of his life, which he himself admitted that he didn’t actually believe that he did it.
Concentration was the cornerstone of this performance by the quiet, yet jovial, Samson. He maintained a calmness akin to a meditating monk inside a monastery and showed no signs of panic or jitteriness. Even when he notched up a half century, which came after 12 innings, facing only 26 balls, Samson was circumspect with his celebration, although the very knowledgeable Eden Gardens crowd jumped to their feet in celebration. Wickets tumbled opposite his end at regular intervals, but he seemed least affected by the circumstance, and he went ahead doing what was best: dealing the ball according to its merit. For the Eden Garden spectators and the millions watching the match on television, doubt began to sink in when another hard-hitting batsman, Tilak Varma, was out, thus following every ball bowled with bated breath. But Samson remained cool as if he were playing on Neptune, the coldest planet of the universe. From the 12th over onwards, he did not loft a single ball in the air but played them all along the ground yet managed to hit sixes and fours, helping the team to maintain a required run rate close to 10.
The fans were heartbroken to witness the quick succession of Tilak's and Hardik's departures when the game was still in the balance. There were growing doubts that India, needing 17 runs from two overs, might just miss the bus. Shivam Dube, however, dispelled this doubt by hitting two consecutive fours. This brought the equation to 7 runs in six balls, with Sanju facing Matthew Ford. He lofted the first ball handsomely for a six and the second for a four. India won the match by 5 wickets, with Sanju on 97 not out. He immediately removed his helmet and gloves, kneeled down on the ground, looked up heavenward and made the sign of the cross, the Catholic tradition before and after praying.
This performance was identical to what Jemima Rodrigues did in the Women’s World Cup 2025 against the formidable Australian team in the semifinal, winning the match for India almost single-handedly. After they won, Jemima too made the sign of the cross and thanked God, which unfortunately led to needless trolling by pseudo-patriots who interpreted the act as intended to convert. But the Indian public was on her side, and the massive counter-troll subdued the mischief-mongers into submission.
That silent prayer by Samson was the loudest thanksgiving to his God. There were honesty and sincerity written all over this gesture and describe the kind of person he is outside the game of cricket. We pray that, besides their skills and sporting prowess, every player, irrespective of their disciplines or religion—Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, or any other—is God-fearing. We pray that they understand the importance of counting their blessings each time their gods bestow them.
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