Thiruvananthapuram: Vizhinjam, the hometown of Sanju Samson, erupted in celebration on Sunday as India national cricket team lifted the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title, powered by a crucial 89-run knock from the Kerala-born batter.

Firecrackers lit up the coastal town, and crowds gathered along the beach as fans watched the final on large screens after India defeated the New Zealand national cricket team to clinch the championship. Residents hailed Samson with loud slogans as celebrations spread across Vizhinjam.

Sanju Samson’s father, Samson Viswanath, said his son played with confidence and stuck to his natural style of batting.

“He started playing at the age of 13. I had full confidence that he would perform well in the World Cup,” Viswanath said.

He admitted he had been concerned about Samson’s patchy form before the tournament, but never lost faith in his son’s ability to deliver on the big stage.

Senior leaders also joined the celebrations. M A Baby, accompanied by A A Rahim, visited the cricketer’s house and congratulated his family following India’s triumph.

Vizhinjam had already been in a festive mood ahead of the final, with large flex boards of Sanju Samson placed across the town. The celebrations intensified when Samson reached his half-century during the match, with fireworks bursting across the neighbourhood.

Political leaders across Kerala took to social media to congratulate India and Sanju Samson for the T20 World Cup victory.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a Facebook post, praised the national team for its historic achievement.

“Our team has hoisted the flag of victory at the pinnacle of world cricket by winning the title on home soil. This historic win in the thrilling final against New Zealand is deeply felt in the hearts of every Indian,” he said.

Vijayan said the performance of “Malayali star” Sanju Samson in the World Cup victory was a matter of pride for people in Kerala. He added that the cricketer’s success showed that talent and hard work could help achieve any goal.

“The Player of the Tournament award further highlights the brilliance of his achievement,” the Chief Minister said, extending congratulations to the world champions and to Samson for his decisive role in the win.

Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty also shared a photograph of Samson on Facebook with the caption: “Our boy.”

Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan posted, “Once again Sanju Samson,” while senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala wrote that he was proud of the Kerala cricketer.

Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev also congratulated the team, writing on Facebook: “Champions. Congratulations to Team India for winning the T20 title by comprehensively defeating New Zealand.”

The victory sparked celebrations not only in Vizhinjam but across Kerala, where Sanju Samson’s performance in the T20 World Cup final has been widely hailed as a defining moment for the state’s cricket fans.

PTI