But the most spicy redemption story of all was written by India opener Sanju Samson, who went from being not a first-choice opener to becoming player of the tournament as they held on to the men’s Twenty20 World Cup title.
The 31-year-old arrived at the tournament carrying the weight of scrutiny after enduring a prolonged slump in form throughout last year and into the early part of this one.
His returns were modest and hit or miss, and suspicions had arisen over whether India could soldier on with a player whose potential was often greater than his actual production.
Samson, who did not feature in the 2024 edition even after being named part of the squad, scored only 46 runs in five T20 internationals with New Zealand prior to this year’s World Cup and his spot on the team was what you could call anything but secure.
“I was shattered. I figured the New Zealand series was my end, I didn’t know how to react,” Samson said during the post match presentation.
“I felt like my dreams had been shattered, what else am I supposed to do?
In the T20 world cup group stage Samson played a single match against Namibia and scored 22 off eight balls. He came back against Zimbabwe in the Super Eight, but managed only 24.
The story was different when the stakes were higher.
The wicket-keeper-batter hit top gear in the knockouts and followed up with three consecutive 80-plus scores to be the tournament’s third-highest run-scorer with 321 runs.
“God had other plans,” he said.
“I just pop back in the important games, and do what I can for my country. I’m very proud and joyful that I was brave enough to dream it.”
Samson scored 89 in India’s total of 255-5 that set up a 96-run win over New Zealand in the final and the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final, rounding off an edition where he also hit a record 24 sixes.
He blamed Indian great Sachin Tendulkar for his loggerheads of preparation and mindset.
“I have been in regular contact with Sachin (Tendulkar) sir for the last couple of months… I wanted to reach out to sir and had these big conversations with him,” Samson said.
“Just having someone like him, what else do I need — that clarity, that game prep, awareness thing and sense.
Special talent
The head coach Gautam Gambhir lavished praise on Samson and described him as a ‘special player’ whose rise was proof of the benefits of backing talent during lean patches.
“He deserves a hell lot more than what he’s actually got till now,” Gambhir said.
“There was never a question about his talent. It was just about getting out there and being as free as he wanted to be.
“And he has proven it to everybody that when you start believing in yourself, nothing matters to you except for that.”
Samson’s turnaround mirrored India’s own — less a personal crest than shared intent.
“Just think if he was playing for a milestone, we would not have got 250 probably,” Gambhir said.
It makes India the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times.