'From being dropped...', fans hail Sanju Samson for this achievement in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Before India takes on New Zealand in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC has announced the eight-man shortlist for the Player of the Tournament award, including Sanju Samson,

Sanju Samson, who only played 4 matches in the T20 World Cup so far, scored 232 runs. Image | ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the eight-man shortlist for the Player of the Tournament award for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and the biggest news is the inclusion of the Indian wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson, who, despite missing a majority of matches in the tournament, found his place in the shortlist.

The "Samson surge" by the mumbers

What makes Sanju Samson's nomination extraordinary is the impact he has delivered in the limited matches he has played so far. Having missed the initial group stage games, Samson broke into the side during Super 8s and immediately started performing and transformed India's top-order dynamics. With a staggering strike rate of 201.73, which is still the second best of the tournament among the players who have scored more than 200 runs.

More than the runs and strike rate, it is the impact that Sanju Samson has made which has transformed India's batting dynamics in the tournament so far. His innings of a lifetime which was an unbeaten 97 of 50 balls against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, secured India's 3 final bats and that also cemented his reputation as Foonam's most dangerous clutch player. Along with that, it is Sanju's ability to find the boundary from the first over and being selfless without being afraid of getting out.

Sanju continued his form in the semi-final as well, and he single-handedly took on the English bowlers, scoring an invaluable 89 off just 42 deliveries which helped India to score the highest total in any T20 World Cup knockout game.

Read also: IND vs ENG, T20 WC 2026: Clutch Bumrah and incredible Axar take India to fourth T20 World Cup final after Samson's 89.

Sanju's tournament in numbers so far

Matches: 4

Innings: 4

Runs: 232

Balls faced: 115

Average: 77.33

Strike rate: 201.73

Highest score: 97*

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: Player of the Tournament nominees

How to watch the India vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup 2026 final match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the India vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup 2026 final match on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

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