India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has praised former India captain Virat Kohli for his continued impact on Indian cricket. Speaking on Wednesday, September 30, Samson said India is “very, very fortunate” to have a player like Kohli, who continues to inspire players through his work and performances. Samson was speaking ahead of India’s men’s T20 cricket semi-final against Sri Lanka at the Asian Games 2026.Key HighlightsSanju Samson called Virat Kohli a constant source of motivation.Kohli recently scored an unbeaten 139 against the West Indies.The century helped Kohli cross 15,000 ODI runs.Samson also spoke about the strength of India’s domestic cricket system.Samson Praises Kohli’s InfluenceSamson said Kohli continues to inspire players across different generations. He pointed to Kohli’s approach during matches and practice as an example for younger players.“We are very, very fortunate to have someone like him.”Samson said Kohli’s performances benefit players who play alongside him. He also said that watching Kohli train and represent India remains a source of inspiration for the current national team.Kohli is currently playing ODI cricket for India. He recently produced a major performance against the West Indies in the first ODI of the ongoing three-match series.Kohli Hits 139 Against West IndiesKohli scored an unbeaten 139 runs in the first ODI against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, 2026. India won that match by eight wickets.His innings also took him beyond the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket. He became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach that milestone, according to reports on Samson’s comments.Kohli's performance came while India were chasing a target of 296 runs. His unbeaten innings helped India complete the chase with 50 balls remaining.The second ODI between India and the West Indies is being played in Guwahati on Wednesday, September 30. The third ODI is scheduled for October 3 in New Chandigarh. The BCCI schedule lists both matches as part of India's three-match home ODI series against the West Indies.India Have Strong Cricket DepthSamson also spoke about the growing depth in Indian cricket. At present, different Indian teams are playing in different competitions.The senior ODI team is facing the West Indies. The Asian Games team is competing in Japan. India A and the Under-19 team are also involved in cricket activities.Samson said the Indian Premier League has helped young players get high-level experience. But he also gave credit to domestic cricket.He mentioned tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as important places where players develop their skills.“Definitely IPL plays a huge role, but I feel our domestic cricket is also playing a huge role.”Samson Looks Ahead to Sri Lanka MatchIndia's Asian Games men's cricket team is preparing for its semi-final against Sri Lanka in Nisshin on Thursday, October 1, 2026. The match is scheduled for 10:00 AM IST.Samson said India must respect every opponent in the short format. He noted that T20 cricket can change quickly because there are small margins between teams.He said India will try to play with an aggressive approach while giving Sri Lanka full respect.For Samson and the Asian Games squad, the immediate focus is now the semi-final. For Kohli, the focus remains ODI cricket with India’s senior team.Samson’s comments show how Kohli’s performances continue to attract attention even while different Indian teams compete in separate tournaments.
