Virat Kohli Praises Sanju Samson's Stellar Performance in T20 World Cup 2026
Kohli Celebrates Samson's Achievement
Renowned Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has expressed admiration for Sanju Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup 2026. Samson's remarkable contributions included a stunning 89 runs off just 46 balls, forming a record 98-run opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma, the highest ever in a T20 World Cup final. His impressive performance also featured an 89-run innings against England in the semifinals and an unbeaten 97 against West Indies during the Super Eight stage, totaling 321 runs across nine matches.
Kohli took to Instagram to commend Samson, stating, "What a remarkable tournament from the most well-deserved man of the tournament @sanjusamson. You performed when it mattered the most. Really happy for you chetta." Samson maintained an average of 46.57 and a strike rate of 166.32 throughout the tournament, with his last five innings averaging 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37, including 27 boundaries and 24 sixes.
Despite finishing as the third-highest run-scorer, his impact in the final matches made him a clear choice for the Player of the Tournament accolade. Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan topped the run charts with 383 runs at an average of 76.60.
Samson's performance in the final not only set a new record for the highest score in a T20 World Cup final, surpassing Marlon Samuels' unbeaten 85 and Kane Williamson's 85, but also established him as the Indian with the highest score in a T20 World Cup knockout match. He joins the ranks of Virat Kohli and Shahid Afridi as one of the few players to score fifties in both the semifinal and final of the T20 World Cup.
In the final match, New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first, allowing India to set a formidable total of 255 for 5. Alongside Samson, both Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan contributed with half-centuries. New Zealand struggled in their chase, losing wickets consistently and ultimately being bowled out for 159 in 19 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah taking four wickets and Axar Patel claiming three.