Sanju Samson Matches Kohli's T20 World Cup Record in Semifinal Showdown

In a thrilling T20 World Cup semifinal, Sanju Samson matched Virat Kohli's record for the most runs by an Indian in knockout matches, scoring 89 runs against England. His performance, alongside significant contributions from teammates, helped India post a massive total. This article delves into Samson's remarkable journey throughout the tournament and highlights key moments from the match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 5, 2026, 22:14 IST

Samson Matches Kohli's Record in Semifinal Showdown

In a remarkable performance, Indian cricketer Sanju Samson showcased his skills against England during the T20 World Cup semifinal held at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, matching the legendary Virat Kohli's record for the highest runs by an Indian in a T20 World Cup knockout match.

Following a stellar 97* against the West Indies in the Super Eight stage, which was essentially a knockout match, Samson maintained his impressive form. He scored 89 runs off just 42 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes, achieving a strike rate of 211.90. Kohli had previously scored 89* off 47 balls against the West Indies in the 2016 T20 World Cup semifinal at the same venue.

Record-Breaking Performance

The record for the highest score in T20 World Cup knockouts was set by New Zealand's Finn Allen, who scored an astonishing 100* in just 33 balls while chasing 170 against South Africa at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. This achievement marks the fastest century in both T20 and 50-over World Cups.

Samson's Outstanding Tournament Performance

Throughout the T20 World Cup, Samson has excelled against slower deliveries, amassing 71 runs off 28 balls with an average of 35.30 and a strike rate of 253.57, including five fours and seven sixes. Notably, slow deliveries have been a challenge for India in this tournament.

With a total of 16 sixes in this edition, Samson surpassed Rohit Sharma's previous record of 15 sixes in the 2024 tournament, setting a new benchmark for the most sixes by an Indian in a single T20 World Cup.

India's Impressive Total

In the match, England opted to field first after winning the toss. Abhishek Sharma (9) fell victim to off-spin early on, but a significant partnership of 97 runs between Samson (89 off 42 balls) and Ishan Kishan (39 off 18 balls) revitalized India's innings as they attacked the bowlers aggressively.

Samson also formed a valuable 43-run partnership with Shivam Dube, who played fluently, scoring 43 runs off 25 balls with four fours and four sixes.

Contributions from Hardik Pandya (27* off 12 balls, including three fours and two sixes) and Tilak Varma (21 off seven balls with three sixes) propelled India to a formidable total of 253/7. Will Jacks (2/40) and Adil Rashid (2/41) were the standout bowlers for England.