India’s Sanju Samson (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Sanju Samson produced a sensational performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup T20 semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, producing one of the best knocks by an Indian batsman in a knock-out match of the tournament.The right-hander smashed a brilliant 89 off just 42 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes at a staggering 211.90. With this innings, Samson equaled Virat Kohli’s record for the highest score by an Indian batsman in a T20 World Cup knockout match. Kohli had earlier scored 89 not out off 47 balls against West Indies in the 2016 semi-final at the same venue.
How Mr. Cool Sanju Samson shot India to the semi-finals of the World Cup
Samson’s knock is now the joint highest score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup knockout and also the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper in such matches.The innings continued Samson’s excellent form in the tournament. The Kerala batsman once again played with authority and confidence when he reached the semi-finals after an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in the final game of the Super Eight, which effectively served as a knockout clash. The knock also reflected how he has overcome previous struggles this year to deliver when it matters most.Most 6 for India in T20WC tournament 16 – Sanju Samson (2026)15 – Shivam Dube (2026)15 – Rohit Sharma (2024)14 – Ishan Kishan (2026)14 – Hardik Pandya (2026)12 – Yuvraj Singh (2007)The innings also helped Samson create another record. With 16 sixes in the ongoing edition, he now holds the record for most sixes by an Indian in a single T20 World Cup tournament. He surpassed Rohit Sharma’s previous mark of 15 sixes during the 2024 edition. Shivam Dube also has 15 sixes in the 2026 tournament, while Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya have hit 14 each.Overall, in the course of the tournament so far, Samson has scored 232 runs in just four matches at an impressive average of 77.33 and a strike rate of 201.73. His campaign includes two half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in Kolkata during the Super Eight stage.
