T20 WC: Player of the Tournament Sanju Samson sets records
What's the story
Completing his redemption arc, Indian batter Sanju Samson has been adjudged the Player of the Tournament for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Samson starred with 50-plus knocks in each of India's last three knockouts, including the final. He smashed 89 as India beat New Zealand to win the title. Samson, who set records with 321 runs in five innings, became only the third Indian to win this award after Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah.
Stellar display
Journey in T20 WC 2026
Samson's journey in the T20 World Cup was nothing short of remarkable. After five dismal outings in the New Zealand T20I series, he was dropped from India's XI. The right-handed batter was brought back in a tactical move midway through the tournament. Samson smashed an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in a must-win Super Eight match, a pivotal 89 against England in the semi-final, and a title-winning 89 in the final.
Record-breaking feat
India's highest run-scorer in T20 WC edition
Samson became the third player to score a half-century in the semi-finals and finals of a T20 World Cup edition. He joined Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (in 2009) and India's Kohli (in 2014). Samson now has the most runs for India in a T20 World Cup edition, breaking Kohli's record. While Kohli scored 319 runs in 2014, Samson concluded the 2026 edition with 321 runs at 80.25. Samson, who was not a certain starter, slammed three half-centuries in his five outings.
Information
Most sixes for India in an edition
Samson finished the record-breaking campaign with 24 sixes. He now has the most maximums for India in a T20 World Cup edition. Before the 2026 event, Rohit Sharma held the record for India (15 sixes in 2024).
Career
A look at his illustrious career
Samson, one of the most impactful Indian batters, now has 1,399 runs from 62 T20Is at an average of 28.55. His tally includes a strike rate of 156.83. Samson has three tons and six half-centuries to his name. As mentioned, the 31-year-old is now the third Indian to win the T20 World Cup player-of-the-tournament award, joining Kohli (2014 and 2016) and Bumrah (2024).
PoM
Bumrah: Player of the Final
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah was adjudged the Player of the Match. Bumrah took 4/15 as New Zealand perished for 159 while chasing 256 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. He became the first Indian with a four-fer in T20 WC knockouts. Notably, Bumrah also completed his maiden four-wicket haul in T20I cricket. He also became the highest wicket-taker among pacers in T20 World Cups.