Abhishek Sharma (ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s star opener Sanju Samson praised his opening partner Abhishek Sharma, describing their partnership as effortless and well-balanced. He said their combination is like “fire and fire”, with both players taking turns to lead the attack. Samson also spoke about their natural Kerala-Punjabi bond that strengthens their understanding. He admired Abhishek’s bravery and composure and said he enjoys their camaraderie both on and off the field.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire. Sometimes he fires, sometimes I do. We have that kind of combination going. We have done this since 2024; we have a Kerala-Punjabi friendship in the middle. Everything comes pretty naturally to us, so we do not complicate it. He asks me, ‘How is the ball coming?’ I tell him that the ball is coming normally, and hit it for a six. It is really simple with him. Abhishek is very brave and collected. I love his character. I really love the partnership with him on and off the field,” Sanju Samson said at the India Today Conclave.

Samson also revealed that Indian players were once ‘jealous’ of Abhishek because of his early stardom.“Earlier, the boys used to get jealous because of the cheers for Abhishek. It was Abhishek, Abhishek everywhere. We were like, do people only see him or what? But yes, he is the superstar of the team now. Get married soon, bhai,” he added.Samson and Abhishek tore into the New Zealand bowlers in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, putting on a 98-run opening partnership to give India a flying start in the powerplay. Their explosive beginning helped India post a massive total of 255 in the final.India created history by securing a record third T20 World Cup title and becoming the first team to successfully defend the trophy and win it on home soil, following a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Samson scripted a remarkable comeback during the T20 World Cup, overcoming inconsistency and time on the bench to finish as India’s leading run-scorer in the tournament. He delivered crucial performances, including a string of half-centuries from the virtual quarterfinal against West Indies to the title clash against New Zealand.Samson scored 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. He smashed 27 fours and 24 sixes and finished as the third-highest run-scorer of the T20 World Cup.

Ricky Ponting speaks about Team India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign

NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has praised India’s decision to back Sanju Samson as an opener during their victorious campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. According to Ponting, the trust shown in Samson by captain Suryakumar Yadav and the coaching staff played a major role in India’s success.Samson’s tournament did not start smoothly. Before the World Cup, he had scored only 46 runs in five T20Is against New Zealand national cricket team. He initially got a chance in the league match against Namibia national cricket team in New Delhi after Abhishek Sharma fell ill. Later, he was brought back for a key Super Eight game against Zimbabwe national cricket team and turned his tournament around with a series of brilliant performances.

Samson played some crucial knocks as India advanced in the competition. He scored an unbeaten 97 against West Indies national cricket team in Kolkata, followed by 89 in the semifinal against England national cricket team in Mumbai and another 89 in the final against New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad. His total of 321 runs in five innings became the most by an Indian batter in a single T20 World Cup edition and earned him the Player of the Tournament award.“For India to stick with him at the top there, that was a big call to make. A big decision, but one that worked out really well in the end. If you get the backing of the coaching staff and the captain, then that’s all you need,” Ponting said on The ICC Review show.“Just a pat on the back or an arm around the shoulder to say, ‘we’re sticking with you, we believe in you.’ When you’ve got the quality that Sanju’s got, and the confidence of the captain and coach behind you, that’s when great things can happen.”Ponting also praised Suryakumar’s leadership and how he managed his players during the tournament. “It would have been really interesting to see how Surya has interacted with Abhishek (Sharam) and Sanju (Samson) over the last few weeks. That’s where the real stories will come out on true leadership.”Despite not scoring heavily himself apart from an unbeaten 84 against the United States national cricket team, Suryakumar guided India to the title. Ponting concluded, “It’s about a lot more than what they do off the field, the things that people don’t see and how they interact with their players. He didn’t have a great time himself as a player, but still, he’s standing at the end holding up a World Cup trophy.”

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, center, celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has stirred debate after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by suggesting that the South Africa national cricket team made a tactical mistake by defeating the West Indies cricket team in their Super 8 clash.The encounter, played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, ended with South Africa securing a comfortable nine-wicket victory. The result had a major impact on the tournament equation because it allowed the India national cricket team to remain in contention for the semi-finals. Later the same day, India beat the Zimbabwe national cricket team to keep their campaign alive.

Speaking on the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast, Vaughan remarked that South Africa may have inadvertently helped India stay in the race by winning that particular game.“I tell you, who I think is the stupidest team of the tournament? South Africa. Because if South Africa had allowed the West Indies to beat them in the Super 8s, India would have been knocked out. I’m just saying – if they had cleared them out, the juggernaut that was coming would have stopped.”“By winning that game, they allowed the juggernaut to go on. India then beat Zimbabwe, then the West Indies in a kind of quarter-final, and then England. South Africa had to play Zimbabwe next, and they even rested three players for that match,” Vaughan said on the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast.According to Vaughan, teams looking to win a World Cup sometimes benefit from eliminating the strongest side early in the competition rather than allowing them to gather momentum.“Look, these things shouldn’t happen and usually don’t happen. I’m just saying that if you want to win a World Cup, the best way is to eliminate the best team early,” Vaughan added.Following their victory over Zimbabwe, India’s next match against the West Indies effectively turned into a knockout contest. In that high-pressure game, Sanju Samson produced a match-winning unbeaten 97 to guide India to a five-wicket win and seal a place in the semi-finals while ending the West Indies’ campaign.Meanwhile, South Africa travelled to Kolkata for the first semi-final, where they faced the New Zealand national cricket team. Led by Mitchell Santner, the Black Caps dominated the contest and sealed a nine-wicket victory. The highlight of the chase was a sensational 33-ball century from Finn Allen, which helped New Zealand cruise into the final. India ultimately won the T20 World Cup 2026.

Chennai Super Kings MS Dhoni (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

The batting position of MS Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings line up has become a talking point in recent seasons. Fitness concerns have often seen the legendary wicketkeeper batter walk in much lower down the order, sometimes at No. 8 or even No. 9. As a result, Dhoni has been left with only a handful of deliveries to influence the game with the bat.In his prime, Dhoni built a reputation as one of the most destructive finishers in world cricket. Even now, the former CSK captain has produced several quick cameos that remind fans of his finishing ability. Those flashes have sparked debate among supporters and experts who feel he should bat higher to maximise his impact.

India Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara is among those who believe Dhoni should be given a bigger role with the bat. Speaking on JioHotstar, Pujara said he struggles to understand the logic behind sending the former India captain so far down the order.“I don’t see a point in MS Dhoni batting at No. 8 or 9, because he has the potential to turn games around single-handedly, something no other batter in the CSK team can do. If he bats for only five or ten balls, imagine what Mahi bhai can do if he plays 25 or 30 balls,” Pujara said on JioHotstar.Pujara, who was part of the CSK squad that lifted their record-equalling fifth Indian Premier League title in 2021, also spoke warmly about the franchise’s dressing room culture.“I’ve been in the CSK setup. In that environment, players are very comfortable; it’s like a family. When you’re in that setup, there is clarity about what is expected of you as a player,” Pujara said.He added that loyalty has always been a defining feature of the franchise’s philosophy.“Loyalty also comes into the picture because most of CSK’s players, if you look at the history, stay for a long time once they become part of that setup. There is a transition in the team now, so there is a bit more preference for young players,” he added.Meanwhile, CSK chief executive Kasi Viswanathan has expressed confidence that Dhoni will feature regularly for the team throughout the season.“He (Dhoni) will play all the matches, according to me,” Kasi said.CSK recently secured the services of wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals, a move that has raised fresh questions about what role Dhoni will perform in the playing eleven.Kasi clarified that the final call on Dhoni’s responsibilities will rest with the team’s coaching staff rather than the administrative management.“That is a cricketing decision which will be taken by the cricketing staff, not by the administrative staff. So they will decide whether he is going to play as a batsman, as a wicketkeeper-batter, or as an impact player,” he said.

Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson (ANI Photo)

No side had ever defended the T20 World Cup title. Suryakumar Yadav’s boys did it first. At home, no less. Here is TOI’s report card of the 15 men who made it happen.GAUTAM GAMBHIR (COACH) – 9/10Two consecutive ICC trophies. The only man in history to win a T20 World Cup as player and coach. His biggest contribution was framing the team’s ideology to “not playing for milestones”. He backed Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy through their lean phase.JASPRIT BUMRAH – 10/10There is a reason Suryakumar Yadav called him a “national treasure”. India’s cheat code! Named Player of the Match in the final for figures of 4/15. Finished joint top wickettaker with 14 scalps and economy of 6.21 — remarkable on surfaces where everyone else bled runs. In the semifinal, he gave away just 14 runs across two overs in the death when England needed 69 off the last five overs.M: 8 | W: 14 | ER: 6.21 | Ave: 12.42 | SR: 12.00

SANJU SAMSON – 10/10When he got his chance, he dismantled the opposition bowling, narratives against him, and years of heartbreak. He kicked off his scoring spree with an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal, then 89 against England in the semifinal, and another 89 in the final — becoming only the second batter to score three consecutive 80-plus scores at a T20 World Cup. His 89 was the highest individual score in a men’s T20 World Cup final. Was fittingly named Player of the Tournament.M: 5 | R: 321 | SR: 199.37 | Ave: 80.25 | 50s: 3ISHAN KISHAN – 9/10The comeback stories at this World Cup had a recurring theme. People who had been written off, coming back with a bang. His redemption arc was complete after smashing 54 off 25 in the final. His best performance came against Pakistan, leading the Indian charge with 77 off 40. He finished as the fourth-highest runscorer in the tournament.M: 9 | R: 317 | SR: 193.29 | Ave: 35.22 | 50s: 3HARDIK PANDYA – 8.5/10A reliable, clutch professional who showed up in the moments that mattered. Scored a halfcentury each against Namibia and Zimbabwe, but his best came in the semifinal against England, where he scored a rapid 27 off 12 that powered India to a 250-plus total. With the ball, his best came against Pakistan (2/16). In the semifinal, he bowled the 19th over for just nine runs, claiming 2/38 to halt England.M: 9 | R: 217 | SR: 160.74 | Ave: 27.12 | 50s: 2 Wkts: 9 | ER: 8.81 | BB: 2/16SHIVAM DUBE – 8/10Bailed India out of tough situations while batting down the order. His 31-ball 65 against the Netherlands helped India to 193 after struggling initially. In the final, he scored 24 runs in the final over, taking India to 255. Even in the semis against England, he played a clutch knock, hitting 43 off 25 and taking down the wily Adil Rashid.M: 9 | R: 235 | SR: 169.06 | Ave: 39.16 | 50s: 1 Wkts: 5 | ER: 14.12 | BB: 2/35AXAR PATEL – 8/10While he was not required with the bat, he came to the fore with the ball taking 11 wickets, often bowling clutch overs. In the final, he took 3/27. In the semis, two stunning catches from him changed the game entirely.M: 7 | R: 16 | SR: 106.66 | Ave: 5.33 | 50s: 0

India head coach Gautam Gambhir with captain Suryakumar Yadav. (Pic credit: BCCI)

SURYAKUMAR YADAV (CAPTAIN) – 7.5/10He led with clarity, instinct and energy. He read the game well and wasn’t afraid to back his bowlers or shuffle the batting order under pressure. But with the bat, he looked a shadow of his peak self. Scored a solitary half-century—an unbeaten 84 off 49 against USA—that saved India the early blushes.M: 9 | R: 242 | SR: 136.72 | Ave: 30.25 | 50s: 1TILAK VARMA – 7.5/10He started at No.3 but it didn’t work. Dropped down to the middle-order and suddenly he looked a different batter. A 16-ball unbeaten 44 against Zimbabwe stood out, a 15-ball 27 against Windies, and a 7-ball 21 against England in the semis, where he smashed three sixes off Jofra Archer, underscored his importance.Inns: 9 | Runs: 207 | SR: 154.47 | Ave: 29.57 | 50s: 0ARSHDEEP SINGH – 7.5/10On the high-scoring surfaces, he couldn’t quite replicate his 2024 heroics but still managed crucial performances in the semifinal against England and in the Super Eight game against Zimbabwe. The side trusted him throughout, and more often than not, he repaid that trust.M: 8 | W: 9 | ER: 8.46 | Ave: 28.22 | SR: 20 | BB: 2/24VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY – 7/10I t was a tournament of two halves. He took nine wickets in the group stage and bowled economically, but across the next five matches, he leaked runs at 11.84, picking up just five more wickets. But 14 wickets at a World Cup is not bad.M: 9 | W: 14 | ER: 9.25 | Ave: 20.50 | SR: 13.20 | BB: 3/7KULDEEP YADAV – 7/10Played just one match. Against Pakistan in Colombo, he delivered a tight three-over spell, taking 1/14. He watched the rest of the tournament from the dugout.M: 1 | W: 1 | ER: 4.66 | Ave: 14 | SR: 18 | BB: 1/14MOHAMMED SIRAJ – 7/10Called into the squad as a last-minute replacement for Harshit Rana, he played only the opening match against the USA and walked away with figures of 3/29, stepping in for Bumrah who was ill.M: 1 | W: 3 | ER: 7.25 | Ave: 9.66 | SR: 8 | BB: 3/29ABHISHEK SHARMA – 6/10This was supposed to be his World Cup but lived on the edge of a cliff for seven matches, collecting three ducks in his first three innings. Opposition off-spinners tied him in knots. There was noise about dropping him for the final. He silenced it most decisively, scoring the fastest half-century of the tournament off just 18 balls.M: 8 | R: 141 | SR: 158.42 | Ave: 17.62 | 50s: 2RINKU SINGH – 5/10His tournament was truncated and difficult. Batting in cameo roles that didn’t suit him, he lost his place in the XI by the business end. But every Indian fielding highlight featured him; he contributed as a substitute fielder and remained a warm presence in what was clearly a painful month, having lost his father midway through the tournament.M: 5 | R: 24 | SR: 82.75 | Ave: 8.00 | 50s: 0WASHINGTON SUNDAR – 5/10He featured in just two games, registering 0/36 against the Netherlands and 0/17 against South Africa with the ball. In the one innings he batted against the Proteas, he scored just 11 runs. He was the squad’s depth, used as cover.M: 2 | R: 11 | SR: 100.00 | Ave: 11.00 | 50s: 0 Wkts: 0 | ER: 8.83

Sanju Samson with wife Charulatha Remesh

NEW DELHI: A touching off-field moment involving Sanju Samson’s wife Charulatha Remesh has captured the internet’s attention days after India’s triumph at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!A video showing Charulatha carefully wrapping Samson’s Player of the Tournament trophy with a T-shirt to protect it from scratches has gone viral on social media, winning the hearts of fans across platforms.The clip, recorded shortly after the award ceremony, shows Charulatha holding the prestigious trophy and admiring it closely. Standing beside her was Devisha Shetty, the wife of India captain Suryakumar Yadav. After exchanging a few words, Charulatha quickly wrapped the trophy in a T-shirt, seemingly to ensure it remained safe from damage while being carried around amid the celebrations.

The small but thoughtful gesture resonated deeply with fans.The viral video surfaced soon after Samson shared a heartfelt tribute to his wife on Instagram following India’s historic title win. Thanking Charulatha for her unwavering support, the star batter opened up about how she stood by him through every phase of his career.“Right from the day I met you till this day of my life… Thank you so very much for being by my side, loving me for who I am, and being absolutely true and honest to me, no matter what I was to the outside world. You have seen my best side and my worst side, yet you stood strong by me,” Samson wrote.“Thank you for understanding how important cricket is in my life and making it just as important in yours,” he added.“And you have wished and dreamed with the same passion and intensity as I did for this moment. Thank you so very much, my dear Pondattiiiiii.”The emotional tribute came after a remarkable turnaround tournament for Samson. Initially relegated to the bench and playing just one league match against Namibia in New Delhi, the wicketkeeper-batter was drafted back into the XI during the Super Eights clash against Zimbabwe.From there, Samson scripted one of the tournament’s most dramatic comebacks. An unbeaten 97 against West Indies in Kolkata set the tone before he delivered back-to-back 89s in the semi-final against England and the final against New Zealand.By the end of the tournament, Samson had amassed 321 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 199, earning the Player of the Tournament award and playing a central role in India lifting their third T20 World Cup title.

Sanju Samson being congratulated by head coach Gautam Gambhir. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed that Sanju Samson’s match-defining 97 against West Indies proved to be the turning point in India’s triumphant campaign at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India sealed their third title in the tournament after defeating New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad, completing a memorable campaign on home soil. Reflecting on the journey, Gambhir said Samson’s knock during a tense chase against the West Indies changed the momentum of the entire tournament for India.

“It’s very difficult to say, but I still believe that Sanju’s 97 against West Indies was the turning point of this campaign. It was a virtual quarter-final. Chasing 195 in a World Cup game is never easy, irrespective of the ground,” Gambhir said on JioStar.According to the former opener, Samson’s calm and controlled approach under pressure lifted the dressing-room mood and gave the squad the belief that the campaign was heading in the right direction.Team India Report Card: Perfect finish to a not-so-perfect T20 World Cup campaign“With the ease and calmness with which he batted, it gave us a lot of confidence in the group that now we were probably on the right track. When Sanju got going and the way Ishan Kishan batted at number three, a lot of things actually started taking shape,” he added.Gambhir also described winning a World Cup as India’s head coach as a deeply emotional moment, saying the opportunity to once again contribute to the country in national colours was something he never expected.“I could have never thought about winning a World Cup as a coach. I never thought I would get the opportunity or privilege to be the head coach of the Indian team because it’s an absolute privilege to again wear the India jersey or do something special for the country,” he said.

Suryakumar Yadav lifts the trophy with Gautam Gambhir as the team members celebrate. (PTI Photo)

The 2011 World Cup winner added that representing India carries a responsibility beyond personal milestones.“When your mom wishes you and tells you ‘well done’, that’s what you play for and what you live for as well. What bigger feeling is there than making 140 crore Indians proud,” Gambhir said.Throughout the tournament, Gambhir said he repeatedly reminded the players that a place in the national dressing room is a privilege.“I’ve always believed that, and I’ve always told the boys as well, that being in that dressing room is a privilege, not an entitlement. Thousands of people would want to be in my position as the head coach of the Indian team, and many would want to be in the position the players are in,” he said.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir with captain Suryakumar Yadav. (Pic credit: BCCI)

He credited India’s success to a fearless, high-impact approach in the shortest format.“From day one, I had a very strong belief that the T20 format is about impact. It’s not about milestones or individual performances. It’s about going out there and creating an impact, whether it’s on the field, with the ball or with the bat,” Gambhir explained.The head coach also highlighted the players’ willingness to adapt to different roles during the tournament, pointing out that captain Suryakumar Yadav set the tone by accepting tactical changes for the team’s benefit.“One thing which will stay with me for the rest of my life is how comfortably the boys accepted different batting positions,” Gambhir said.From Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube shifting roles in the batting order to Jasprit Bumrah delivering in every phase of the innings, Gambhir said the team’s adaptability was the defining feature of India’s title-winning run.

AHMEDABAD: There have been subtle changes for the better in Sanju Samson’s game. The T20 World Cup’s player of the tournament now has a remarkable steadiness when he plays his shots or is charging the bowler. The fidgety, twitchy version of Samson we saw earlier is gone.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The changes can be attributed to the lean run prior to the World Cup in the T20I series against New Zealand, which led to his omission from the squad and prompted serious introspection.With opposition teams targeting India with off-spin early in the Powerplay to neutralise left-hander Abhishek Sharma’s power hitting, and with Rinku Singh being under-utilised down the order, India rejigged their lineup and brought in Sanju.

Suddenly, the pieces seemed to fit and India had the perfect batting order for the occasion. Samson smashed three crucial, consecutive half-centuries, was India’s leading scorer with 321 runs from five innings and has probably hit upon the kind of consistency which eluded him for long periods of his career.Now, Samson is also the leading Indian run-scorer in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.ALSO READ: Team India Report Card: Perfect finish to a not-so-perfect T20 World Cup campaign“As soon as we brought him (back), the game changed completely (for us),” captain Suryakumar Yadav said.“He started batting differently. That was a positive call for him. I saw him working very hard. When someone doesn’t play, what he does (outside the playing field) is more important. He did everything he could for the team when he was not playing. The last three to four innings he has batted for the team, it is a result of all the hard work he has put in,” said Surya, highlighting the hard yards in the nets by the opener.One of Samson’s earliest coaches, Biju George, told TOI, “Every batsman over a long tournament brings in minute adjustments. He just kept faith in his ability and backed himself. He kept hitting straight and strong.”Sanju’s batting now has the distinct clarity it lacked earlier. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said Samson had changed his approach from the bilateral series earlier.“Unfortunate for us, he was saving his runs for the World Cup. In a few of those games, he looked like he was trying to hit from ball one. Now, he gave himself a chance, gave himself a few balls. On these wickets, when you’re in, you can really cash in,” Santner said.

File Pic: Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni

NEW DELHI: India’s historic T20 World Cup triumph not only thrilled fans worldwide but also triggered a rare social media moment involving two of the country’s most iconic cricket figures — MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shortly after India sealed a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final, Dhoni returned to Instagram after nearly two years to congratulate the team and support staff. The former India captain, who attended the final in Ahmedabad, couldn’t resist making a playful remark about Gambhir’s famously intense personality.

“History gets created at Ahmedabad, big congratulations to the team and support staff and to all the fans of the Indian Cricket Team worldwide. Such a pleasure to see all of you play,” Dhoni wrote.But it was his cheeky comment on Gambhir that quickly went viral.“Coach Sahab smile looks great on you, intensity with smile is a killer combo, very well done. Enjoy guys… Bumrah ke baare mein kuch na likhoon toh hi achha hai. Champion bowler,” Dhoni added, praising India’s pace spearhead while referencing Gambhir’s typically serious demeanour. Gambhir, who served as head coach during India’s successful title run, responded warmly to Dhoni’s message.“And what a reason to smile, great seeing you,” Gambhir wrote in reply, acknowledging the former captain’s presence at the stadium.

The exchange captured the attention of fans, given the pair’s long history in Indian cricket. Gambhir was a crucial member of Dhoni’s World Cup-winning sides, playing match-defining knocks in both the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup finals.Sunday’s final produced another memorable chapter in India’s white-ball legacy. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India piled up a formidable 255/5 after explosive contributions from Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma.The bowlers then sealed the emphatic victory, with Jasprit Bumrah producing a sensational spell of 4 for 15.