What did Sanju Samson Demand in Mumbai for Kerala Cheat Meal during T20 World Cup? Chef Reveals

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Sanju Samson recently played the best cricket of his career, helping India lift the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 trophy. He scored amazing runs, including a brilliant 97 not out against the West Indies, and back-to-back scores of 89 in the semi-final and final. Because of his fantastic total of 321 runs in just five matches, he rightfully won the 'Player of the Tournament' award.

But behind this huge success was a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Recently, his personal chef, Suresh Pillai, shared an interesting story about Sanju's strict diet and a well-deserved "cheat meal" right in the middle of the tournament.

Chef Pillai revealed that Sanju followed a very strict diet for three whole months before the World Cup. He even stayed away from social media and kept his phone switched off to stay completely focused on his game. The chef mentioned that people usually do not see the silent hard work and sacrifices that players make behind the scenes.

Sanju Samson's Cheat Meal in T20 World Cup

After playing a match-winning innings of 97 not out against the West Indies in the Super 8 stage, Sanju decided it was time to celebrate a little. His manager called Chef Pillai with a special request. The team was in Mumbai, and Sanju wanted to eat his favorite traditional food from his home state, Kerala.

His manager Iqlas, asked the chef if he could arrange pazhankanji (a traditional rice dish), fish, kappa (tapioca), and chammanthi (chutney) for dinner.

" Chetta, the match against West Indies was brilliant. He's really happy. We're in Mumbai now. Three months of strict diet meals... tonight he wants a cheat meal. Can you arrange pazhankanji, fish, kappa and chammanthi?" As shared by Chef Pillai, on Instagram.

Chef Pillai laughed because arranging pazhankanji in Mumbai at 7 P.M. was tough.

"Pazhankanji. In Mumbai. At 7 PM. I laughed. Pazhankanji may not happen... but kanji, kappa and fish done," he replied.

However, he happily managed to arrange a comforting meal of kanji (rice gruel), kappa, and fish curry for the star cricketer through his friend Rassak Ikka, owner of Society Hotel, Mumbai.

Chef also shared insights into Samson's sacrifice in the lead-up to the tournament.

"What Sanju sacrifices for every tournament...most people never see. Phone switched off. Social media gone. Months of quiet, relentless preparation. That's the real story behind every moment that fills a Malayali's chest with pride," Pillai wrote on Instagram.

This simple but delicious meal from his homeland was the perfect reward for Sanju Samson's hard work. Now, fans are eagerly waiting to see him shine again as he gets ready to play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming IPL 2026 season.