Sanju Samson Named Player of the Tournament in T20 World Cup 2026

Sanju Samson said winning the Player of the Tournament award at the T20 World Cup 2026 “feels like a dream” after finishing as the leading scorer for India with 321 runs. The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter averaged 80.25 and struck at 199.38 across five innings, playing pivotal knocks in the knockout games.

Samson finished third overall on the tournament run charts behind Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan (383 runs in six matches) and New Zealand’s Tim Seifert (326 runs in eight matches), but his contributions were decisive in India’s title-winning campaign.

“It feels like a dream,” Samson said after the final. “I am very happy and grateful. Out of words, out of emotions.”

Samson shone in three consecutive knockout matches against the West Indies, England, and New Zealand, scoring 97* off 50 balls, 89 in 42 balls, and 89 in 46 balls in the final.

“To be honest, it started one-two years ago,” Samson said. “When I was in the 2024 T20 World Cup team where I didn't play, I kept visualising, kept on working and this was exactly what I wanted to do.”

He admitted a tough period before the tournament, including scoring only 46 runs in five matches against New Zealand. “After the New Zealand series I was broken… But God had different plans. And I was rewarded for being brave enough to dream,” he said.

Samson credited guidance from Sachin Tendulkar. “I have been in constant contact with Sachin sir… I am very grateful for everyone who supported me.”

“This itself is very big for me, I want to enjoy it right now,” he added.