Ahmedabad, March 9: The Indian cricket team has clinched the T20 World Cup 2026 title, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final held at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Sanju Samson played a pivotal role in this victory, scoring a blistering 89 runs off 46 balls, marking a significant contribution to India‘s third World Cup triumph.
This was Samson’s third consecutive half-century in the tournament, earning him the Player of the Series award. After receiving the accolade, Samson credited his resurgence in confidence and batting improvement to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Reflecting on his return to the playing XI after a period out of the team, Samson shared that he received guidance from senior players during his tough times. He maintained constant communication with Tendulkar, stating, “During the Australia tour, I was contemplating what mindset I needed. I spoke to him, and we had many discussions.”
Samson recounted that Tendulkar even called him before the final to check on his feelings, expressing gratitude for having such a mentor. He emphasized the clarity, game preparation, and awareness he gained from Tendulkar’s advice, which significantly transformed his batting approach.
Samson’s calm demeanor at the crease and absence of haste led to a historic performance for india in the T20 World Cup. He scored an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies, followed by 89 in the semi-final against England, and another 89 in the final against New Zealand, surpassing Virat Kohli to become the highest run-scorer in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.
In total, Samson amassed 321 runs in five matches, averaging 80.25 with a strike rate of 199.38, including 24 fours and 27 sixes. He also set the record for the most sixes in a single World Cup edition. Although Samson made his debut in 2015, it was during the T20 World Cup 2026 that he finally received the success and recognition he truly deserved.