India’s star batsman Virat Kohli has penned a heartfelt message for Sanju Samson after his remarkable campaign at the Men’s World T20 2026. Samson was named the player of the tournament following India’s historic triumph as they beat the New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
He became the third Indian to win the prestigious award after Virat Kohli (2014, 2016) and Jasprit Bumrah (2024).Samson finished as the tournament’s highest scorer for India despite only playing five of the nine games. He amassed 321 runs at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37.
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The keeper scored three consecutive 80+ scores in his last three innings and played a key role in the team’s triumph. After his sensational performances, Kohli congratulated Samson with a special message on his Instagram story, calling him a deserving winner of the tournament.
“What a remarkable tournament from MOST @imsanjusamson. You performed when it mattered most. Really happy for you chetto,” Kohli wrote on his Instagram. Virat Kohli’s Instagram Story (Source: virat.kohli)
Samson was initially not part of the playing eleven for the tournament due to his poor run of form in the competition. However, he was brought in for the second match against Namibia after some health issues forced Abhishek Sharma to warm the bench.
Samson scored a quickfire 22 (8) in that game but was dismissed again after Abhishek recovered from his health problems. However, Samson was brought back into the playing eleven in the second match of the Super 8 against Zimbabwe as India’s left-handed opening combination of Abhishek and Ishan Kishan struggled against the off-spinners in the powerplay.
How did Samson get back into the playing XI?
He scored another 24 (15) against Zimbabwe, helping the team get off to a good start in the power play and avoid losing early wickets. However, Samson produced his best performance in the following must-win match against the West Indies when he scored an unbeaten 97* (50) to help the team post the highest run chase in T20 World Cup history — 196 — and qualify for the semi-finals.
He was deservedly adjudged Man of the Match for scoring the second highest score by an Indian in T20 World Cup history.
Samson went on to score a sensational 89 (42) to help the team to their highest total in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup – 253/7 – in the semi-final against England. He was again named man of the match in India’s narrow seven-run victory.
In the final against New Zealand, Samson scored another 89 (46) to once again help the team cross the 250-run mark (255/5). with ease. As a result, Samson also became the third batsman to post a half-century in both the semi-final and final of the same edition of the T20 World Cup.
The opener was deservedly adjudged player of the tournament after turning around India’s campaign following a crushing 76-run defeat against South Africa’s national cricket team in the Super 8 overs.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
09 March 2026 05:00 IST
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