Sanju Samson (Source: AFP)
The star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been in sensational form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. He played a central role in India's qualification for the tournament’s summit clash against New Zealand on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
Samson played two outstanding and game-defining knocks for India, scoring 97* against the West Indies, followed by 89 against England. Both of these two matches were the high-stakes clashes, first a virtual quarter-final against WI and the other the semi-final bout against England.
Amidst the pouring praises for Sanju Samson, the veteran Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane’s recent statement has come as a big surprise for the Indian cricket fans.
Ajinkya Rahane’s shocking predictions on player of the tournament contenders
While picking his player of the tournament contenders, Ajinkya Rahane shockingly ignored Sanju Samson. Furthermore, what came as an added surprise for fans was the inclusion of Varun Chakaravarthy and Rahane’s list of three players who could win the player of the tournament.
“Hey everyone, I'm going to pick my top three contenders for the Aramco Player of the Tournament. The first one for me is Varun Chakaravarthy. How well he's bowling. The contribution with the ball from Varun has been amazing. He's been so good for the Indian team,” said Rahane in a video he shared on his official X handle (formerly Twitter).
“Second one, Lungi Ngidi, again a bowler who's been doing really well for South Africa. And Aiden Markram, contribution with the bat. He's been amazing for them. Let me know what's yours and go and vote for your Aramco Player of the Tournament,” he added later.
Samson enjoys a dream run in T20 World Cup 2026
Speaking of Sanju Samson’s run in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, he has moved to the third spot in the list of leading run-scorers for India in the tournament. Samson has reached the third spot despite playing only half (4) of India’s total matches (8) in the tournament so far.
The in-form wicketkeeper-batter has smashed 232 runs in just four innings at an amazing average of 77.33 and an outstanding strike rate of 201.73, hitting two match-winning half-centuries. He happened to be one of the players who guided India’s all-important wins against West Indies and England.
Samson was given a chance in the playing XI after Rinku Singh’s family bereavement. Subsequently, his inclusion also led the team management to reshuffle the batting order. They placed Ishan Kishan at number three, alongside handing over opening duties to Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
Also Read: Abhishek Sharma To Be Dropped For T20 World Cup Final? Sanju Samson Reveals Gautam Gambhir’s Itch
A tough World T20 campaign for Varun Chakaravarthy
The ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 has been a very pleasant campaign for the World number one T20I bowler, India’s biggest weapon, Varun Chakaravarthy. He has been under the scanner despite being the leading wicket-taker for India in the tournament with 13 wickets in eight innings.
Varun has been under the firing line due to his successive poor outings against the West Indies in a virtual knockout game and the semi-final clash against India. Against the Caribbean side, he could scalp just one wicket, conceding 40 runs in his four overs with an expensive economy rate of 10.00.
In the high-scoring affair against England at Wankhede, Varun once again failed to live up to the expectations. He bowled the second-most expensive spell in the T20 World Cup history, with 64 runs in four overs at an horrific economy rate of 16.00 to take only one wicket.
Also Read: India To Lose Vs New Zealand In T20 World Cup Final? ICC Behind The Move
