Suresh Raina, who is the first and only Indian to score a century in the T20 World Cup, has backed Sanju Samson to end the 16-year-long wait and become the second cricketer from India to score a century in the shortest format mega-event. The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Kerala is part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad for the 20-team tournament starting February 7, and in all likelihood, he will open the innings as well with world No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma.

Samson has scored three centuries for India in 55 T20I matches played so far, and Raina feels that the right-handed batter can join him in the special club this time around.

“Sanju Samson can be in that list," Raina said when asked about who can score a century for India in the T20 World Cup 2026.

“He (Samson) opens the batting and has the ability (to score 100). He has already scored a century (two) in South Africa. Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan are also there. One of them can make it. But somehow, I think Sanju can make a century in this T20 World Cup," he added.

Samson was picked as the first-choice wicketkeeper in the T20 World Cup squad last December. However, following his failure to deliver with the bat in the first four T20Is of the ongoing series against New Zealand and Ishan Kishan impressing with his fearless batting, calls are growing for Samson to be dropped once Tilak Varma becomes available for selection.

But Raina has come out strongly in defence of him by stating that he is a top player. He cited the example of how Suryakumar Yadav was out of form in 2025, but despite that, he received constant backing from the team management and is now back among the runs.

“I think form is temporary. Sanju has that class. He has done it (scored runs) over the years, whether he is playing for India or not. He has made a lot of runs in T20 cricket. Look at Suryakumar Yadav. He hasn’t scored runs in almost one year. But still, the coach backed him. I think the same story is with Sanju. If he gets a chance, he will definitely do well," Raina said.

‘I see myself in Tilak’

Apart from Abhishek, Samson, Ishan and Suryakumar, Tilak Varma is also an integral part of India’s T20I team, and in the upcoming tournament, the left-handed batter from Hyderabad will have a big role to play.

According to Raina, Tilak is a very solid player, and he is very impressed by his ability to handle pressure. He also reserved big praise for his fielding and went on to add that he sees shades of him in the Hyderabad-based cricketer.

“I think he is an absolutely solid player. The way he handles the pressure. The way he has become a fearless player. We saw him in the Asia Cup, the way he played against Pakistan, and he scored two centuries in South Africa. He’s a brilliant gun fielder. I see myself in him," he said.

Even though Tilak is just two years old in international cricket, Raina feels he has a great understanding of the game, and his hunger to score runs and win matches for India will make him a very big superstar.

“He (Tilak) bats very, very deep. He has a very good mind to read the situation. He knows how to bat with a tailender. I think he’s going to be the next superstar for India. He has the class, he has the patience, and he has the hunger to make runs. He can take a match from any situation. I think he loves playing for India. He loves representing those crucial moments. He wants to celebrate and win games for India. He has that hunger. I think he’s going to be a very, very big superstar in the coming days."

‘Varun’s spin will decidethe  trophy’

The Indian selectors have picked a very strong and balanced squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, with multiple players having the ability to win the matches single-handedly for the side. But Raina feels world No. 1 T20I bowler Varun Chakaravarthy’s spell will decide the result for India.

The former left-handed batter feels that opposition batters are yet to figure out how to tackle Varun, and that will prove to be a big difference.

“I think Varun’s 24 balls will decide the trophy for India. His every over will be very important for India, and it will be interesting to see where he bowls. I would give him the sixth over so that he can dismiss a big batter. I think batsmen haven’t been able to read him yet. I think he’s going to give us a World Cup this year," Raina added.

Raina, who is in Goa these days to play in the World Legends Pro T20 League, also opened up about the tournament and said, “I think this league really brings everyone together. The players are genuinely enjoying themselves and playing with a lot of freedom. There’s a strong focus on entertaining the crowd, and that’s what the World Legends Pro T20 League is all about. The stadium is beautiful, the crowds have been turning up in big numbers, and the atmosphere in Goa is vibrant and full of energy. It’s been a wonderful experience to be part of it."