'I was broken after the NZ series': Samson wins Player of the Tournament in T20 WC

Sanju Samson capped disconnected a singular run successful the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 by winning the Player of the Tournament grant aft playing a decisive relation successful India nationalist cricket team’s rubric triumph.Samson finished the tourney with 321 runs, an bonzer accomplishment considering helium played lone 5 matches successful the competition. The 31 twelvemonth aged was not portion of India’s playing eleven astatine the commencement of the tourney and was drafted into the broadside aft India’s nonaccomplishment to South Africa nationalist cricket team. From that moment, the wicketkeeper batter produced a drawstring of lucifer winning performances.

His run was highlighted by 3 consecutive fractional centuries astatine the astir important stages of the tournament.

Samson archetypal delivered a superb unbeaten 97 against the West Indies cricket squad successful a virtual 4th final, guiding India to triumph successful a tense chase. He followed it up with 89 successful the semi last against England nationalist cricket squad and past struck different 89 successful the last against New Zealand nationalist cricket team.The Indian batter besides rewrote respective records during the tournament. Samson smashed 24 sixes, the astir by immoderate subordinate successful a azygous T20 World Cup edition.

His 89 successful the last is present the highest idiosyncratic people successful a T20 World Cup final, surpassing the erstwhile champion of 85 not retired by Marlon Samuels successful 2016 and 85 by Kane Williamson successful 2021.Samson’s tally of 321 runs is besides the highest by an Indian batter successful a azygous T20 World Cup, overtaking Virat Kohli’s grounds of 319 runs acceptable during the 2014 tournament.His consistency besides placed him successful an elite radical of players who person scored fractional centuries successful some the semi last and the last of a T20 World Cup.

Before Samson, lone Shahid Afridi successful 2009 and Virat Kohli successful 2014 had achieved that feat.Speaking aft receiving the award, Samson reflected connected the travel that led to the defining tourney of his career."Feels similar a dream. Very blessed and grateful. Out of words, retired of emotions. [On his 3 fifties, thought process] To beryllium honest, it started one-two years before. When I was successful the 2024 World Cup squad wherever I didn't play, I kept visualising, kept connected moving and this was precisely what I wanted to do.

After the NZ bid I was broken, my dreams were wholly shattered. And I was reasoning what tin I do. But God had antithetic plans.

And I was rewarded for being brave capable to dream. A batch of erstwhile players person reached retired to maine and tried to assistance maine out.""For the past mates of months, I person been successful changeless interaction with Sachin sir. I reached retired to him and had large big conversations with him. Getting a guidance from idiosyncratic similar him, what much tin you inquire for? I americium precise grateful for everyone who supported me. [What much does helium privation to achieve?] This itself is precise large for me, I privation to bask it close present and past aft a fewer time volition fig retired what much to do."