Sanju Samson Becomes T20 World Cup Player Of The Tournament; Joins Kohli, Bumrah In Elusive List

Samson becomes T20 WC 2026 player of the tournament [Source: AFP]

Sanju Samson produced one of the finest comebacks seen in world cricket in the T20 World Cup 2026. He had a disastrous bilateral T20I series against New Zealand and was immediately dropped from the playing XI at the start of the marquee event. However, a tactical shift allowed Samson to sneak into the playing XI, and it turned out to be a masterstroke.

He played against Namibia in the group stage and was once again dropped for the next couple of games. However, India brought him back after the drubbing at the hands of South Africa, and the opener never looked back as he scored 97*, 89, and 89 in the next three innings to help India win the T20 World Cup.

Samson joins Kohli, Bumrah in historic achievement

He ended the tournament with 321 runs in five matches, and for his stellar campaign, the Indian batter was awarded the Player of the Tournament award, and he became just the third Indian, after Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, to be awarded the coveted prize.

Kohli achieved the feat in the 2014, and 2016 editions, while Bumrah became the Player of the Tournament in 2024. Samson also surpassed Kohli in the record of most runs scored by an Indian in a single T20 World Cup edition.

His tournament ended with an average of 80.25, and a stellar strike rate of 199.38 as his contribution helped India retain their title.

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Samson's stellar T20 World Cup campaign in a nutshell

He played his first game of the tournament against Namibia, and Samson scored a quick-fire 22 off 8. He was dropped for a couple of games before the batter made his return, and scored 24 off 15 against Zimbabwe.

However, the reason he was awarded the Player of the Tournament was due to his next three knocks. Against the West Indies, Samson remained unbeaten at 97 as India chased down 196 runs to seal their place in the semis.

In the semis against England, Samson took them down with ease at Wankhede and hammered 89 off 42 balls as India posted in excess of 250. He continued his domination in the finals against the Kiwis, smashing 89 more runs to once again help India post a commanding total on the board.

Surreal to win Player of the Tournament- Samson gets emotional

After winning the coveted prize, an emotional Samson expressed how he felt after winning the World Cup, and the Player of the tournament prize.

"(What does this moment feel like for him?): It feels like a dream, haha (Smiles)! Very, very happy. Really grateful. Out of words. Out of emotions. I am just going through it. Feels a bit surreal.

(Thought process on performing in the virtual quarter-final against the West Indies, half-century in the semi-final vs England and tonight in the final against New Zealand): To be honest, sir, this started one-two years before. When I was with the 2024 T20 WC winning team, I couldn't play a game. I kept on visualising, I kept on dreaming, and kept on working. This (POTT) is exactly what I wanted to do then. I thought I needed to work in, I need to put in so much of work that this is exactly what I wanted to achieve. By god's grace, tonight the things have turned around."

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Samson credits Sachin Tendulkar for T20 World Cup turnaround

Samson also revealed that he has been in touch with Sachin Tendulkar, and his guidance helped him to play his best cricket in the tournament.

"To be very honest, there was a lot of guidance and suggestions from our senior players, and the former Indian team has really reached out to me; they tried to help me out. For the last couple of months, I hope that I can share it here. I have been in contact with Sachin Sir (Tendulkar)."

After a remarkable World Cup, Samson will be seen in action during the IPL 2026, where he will don the Yellow Jersey for his new team, Chennai Super Kings.

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