As the cricketing world celebrates Sanju Samson’s stirring comeback — hailed as the greatest redemption story of this Twenty20 World Cup — Kerala has been swept by a tide of pride and affection, as social media was awash with reels and eulogies with uplifting soundtracks.

Among those saluting Sanju ‘Special’ Samson, a viral phrase coined by former cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri after the 31-year-old’s swashbuckling 97 that sealed India’s semi-final berth, were celebrities and politicians alike.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described Mr. Samson’s performances as “inspirational to every Keralite,” noting how his consistency became India’s backbone. “Sanju proved to the world that talent combined with hard work makes any goal achievable. The player of the tournament only adds sheen to his achievements,” he posted.

The chorus of admiration cut across political lines. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan’s post simply read, “Once again Sanju Samson,” alongside an image of his follow-through with the word ‘Fifty’ embossed on either side.

CPI(M) leader and former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja in a clever tweak, linked his third consecutive half-century in the final against New Zealand to her party’s bid for a third successive term: “Certain continuities are to ensure that the State doesn’t lose,” she wrote, before congratulating India on lifting the trophy on the strength of Mr. Samson’s performance.

Shashi Tharoor, celebrating his 70th birthday, found his joy doubled: “Another incredible performance, for the third match in a row, by my Thiruvananthapuram hero Sanju Samson. What more could one ask for,” he wrote.

Director-actor Basil Joseph joined the celebrations in his own distinctive way. He posted images from the venue of the final, proudly sporting Samson’s number 9 jersey.

Fans ecstatic

Meanwhile, the Sanju Samson Fans Club, a Facebook group with 1.29 lakh members, became a floodplain of emotion. “Once Sanju retires, this World Cup will be remembered as the one that returned him to world cricket,” one fan wrote. Another took a dig at his former IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, remarking that they would be crying while his new team Chennai Super Kings laughed.

This is the tale of a player who was not even in the initial playing XI going on to break Virat Kohli’s record to become India’s highest run-scorer in a World Cup campaign, and that too in just five innings, wrote another ecstatic fan.