Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav with the T20 World Cup trophy. (Pic credit: BCCI)

NEW DELHI: Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar believes life has “come full circle” for Sanju Samson after the wicketkeeper-batter scripted one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Indian cricket during the team’s historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Samson, who began the tournament on the bench, emerged as the player of the tournament after producing three defining knocks in India’s knockout matches, including the semifinal against England and the final against New Zealand.Reflecting on Samson’s journey, Gavaskar said the Kerala batter had transformed adversity into the defining moment of his career.

“Life has come full circle for Sanju Samson,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports. “Before the 2026 T20 World Cup, he had a terrible series against New Zealand. He was dropped, then after the T20 World Cup started, he got a chance to play against Namibia, but his knock wasn’t enough to keep his spot.”Samson’s early struggles saw him sidelined again before India handed him another opportunity in the Super 8 stage.“He next played directly against Zimbabwe in the Super 8, but his real redemption began against West Indies in a virtual quarter-final,” Gavaskar explained.ALSO READ: ‘Samson is a combination of Kohli & Rohit’: Kumble after T20 WC masterclassThat innings sparked a sensational run. Samson followed up with a match-winning 97 not out against West Indies, an attacking 89 against England in the semifinal, and another 89 in the final against New Zealand, powering India to a commanding total before they sealed a crushing 96-run victory in Ahmedabad.Gavaskar emphasised that such performances in high-pressure situations define a cricketer’s legacy.“These games decide your fate and will define his career. Playing clutch knocks in high-pressure games takes something special,” he said.“To have the scar of failure and then play the best knocks of your career in three back-to-back high-pressure games — that is Sanju Samson.”The former India captain also highlighted the magnitude of India’s achievement in defending their world title.“Winning ICC trophies is not easy. Bilateral dominance is different. ICC tournaments have zero margin for error,” Gavaskar said. “Winning the T20 World Cup back-to-back is a massive achievement. This is the best moment in Indian cricket history.”

NEW DELHI: When Sanju Samson walked out to open midway through the tournament, few could have predicted that he would end up scripting one of the most remarkable turnarounds in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. But for India spin legend Anil Kumble, Samson’s performances in the knockout stages reflected a rare blend of two of India’s greatest modern batters — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!After spending the first half of the tournament on the bench, Samson was drafted into the XI as an opener ahead of the decisive Super 8 clash against the West Indies. The Kerala batter responded with an unbeaten 97 in what was effectively a virtual knockout in Kolkata, before producing back-to-back 89s in the semi-final and the final to power India’s title-winning run.

The explosive streak saw Samson break several records, including the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final. He also joined Kohli as the only Indians to score fifties in both the semi-final and final of the same World Cup edition, while finishing with a staggering 321 runs in just five innings — the most by an Indian in a single edition of the tournament.For Kumble, the numbers told only part of the story.“If you look at the previous World Cup in 2024, it had Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both are great players, very difficult to replace them,” Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo. “I think Samson is a combination of Kohli and Rohit, in a sense.”ALSO READ: ‘Stop celebrating milestones’: Gambhir’s strong message after India’s T20 WC triumphKumble explained that Samson displayed Kohli’s calculated control when the situation demanded patience, while also unleashing Rohit-like aggression when the momentum needed to shift.“When it required a little bit of Kohli, where you just plan and ensure that you don’t lose wickets,” he said. “And then whenever you need to accelerate in the powerplay, you want to take on the bowlers — like Rohit.”Even while anchoring the innings, Samson did not compromise on his natural flair. As India became the first team to smash 100 sixes in a single World Cup edition, Samson accounted for 24 of them — the most by any batter in the tournament.

India’s Sanju Samson (ANI Photo)

Sanju Samson capped off a remarkable campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by winning the Player of the Tournament award after playing a decisive role in India national cricket team’s title triumph.Samson finished the tournament with 321 runs, an extraordinary achievement considering he played only five matches in the competition. The 31 year old was not part of India’s playing eleven at the start of the tournament and was drafted into the side after India’s loss to South Africa national cricket team. From that moment, the wicketkeeper batter produced a string of match winning performances.

His campaign was highlighted by three consecutive half centuries at the most crucial stages of the tournament. Samson first delivered a brilliant unbeaten 97 against the West Indies cricket team in a virtual quarter final, guiding India to victory in a tense chase. He followed it up with 89 in the semi final against England national cricket team and then struck another 89 in the final against New Zealand national cricket team.The Indian batter also rewrote several records during the tournament. Samson smashed 24 sixes, the most by any player in a single T20 World Cup edition. His 89 in the final is now the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final, surpassing the previous best of 85 not out by Marlon Samuels in 2016 and 85 by Kane Williamson in 2021.Samson’s tally of 321 runs is also the highest by an Indian batter in a single T20 World Cup, overtaking Virat Kohli’s record of 319 runs set during the 2014 tournament.His consistency also placed him in an elite group of players who have scored half centuries in both the semi final and the final of a T20 World Cup. Before Samson, only Shahid Afridi in 2009 and Virat Kohli in 2014 had achieved that feat.Speaking after receiving the award, Samson reflected on the journey that led to the defining tournament of his career.“Feels like a dream. Very happy and grateful. Out of words, out of emotions. [On his three fifties, thought process] To be honest, it started one-two years before. When I was in the 2024 World Cup team where I didn’t play, I kept visualising, kept on working and this was exactly what I wanted to do. After the NZ series I was broken, my dreams were completely shattered. And I was thinking what can I do. But God had different plans. And I was rewarded for being brave enough to dream. A lot of former players have reached out to me and tried to help me out.”“For the last couple of months, I have been in constant contact with Sachin sir. I reached out to him and had big big conversations with him. Getting a guidance from someone like him, what more can you ask for? I am very grateful for everyone who supported me. [What more does he want to achieve?] This itself is very big for me, I want to enjoy it right now and then after a few day will figure out what more to do.”

India’s Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson (ANI Photo)

India national cricket team produced a record breaking batting display to post the highest total ever in a final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, smashing 255 for five against New Zealand national cricket team in the 2026 summit clash in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Defending champions India were ruthless after being invited to bat, with Sanju Samson leading the charge with a stunning 89 off 45 balls. The wicketkeeper batter attacked from the very first over and combined with Abhishek Sharma to dismantle the New Zealand bowling attack.

The opening pair stitched together a blistering 98 run stand in just 7.1 overs, laying a perfect platform for a massive total. Abhishek struck a quickfire 52 before Ishan Kishan continued the onslaught with an explosive 54 from only 25 deliveries.Batting with authority and relentless aggression, India raced past the 200 run mark inside just 15 overs, leaving the Kiwi bowlers struggling for answers.Samson’s knock also created history as his 89 became the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final. The Indian star surpassed the previous best of 85 not out by Marlon Samuels in 2016 and 85 by Kane Williamson in 2021.

Highest team totals in T20 WC

260/6 – SL vs KEN, Johannesburg, 2007256/4 – IND vs ZIM, Chennai, 2026255/5 – IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026 Final254/6 – WI vs ZIM, Mumbai WS, 2026253/7 – IND vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2026 SF246/7 – ENG vs IND, Mumbai WS, 2026 SFNew Zealand briefly pulled things back in the 16th over when James Neesham struck three times in the span of six balls, dismissing Samson, Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav to halt India’s charge.However, Shivam Dube ensured India finished strongly with an unbeaten 26, hammering 24 runs off the final over from Neesham. India plundered 52 runs in the last five overs to push the total to a daunting 255 for five.The score is now the highest ever posted in a T20 World Cup final and ranks among the biggest totals in the tournament’s history.India’s dominance with the bat has also been evident in the overall T20 landscape. The team now holds the record for the most 250 plus totals in men’s T20 cricket with seven, ahead of teams such as Sunrisers Hyderabad and the West Indies cricket team.Notably, India also became only the second side to register three 250 plus totals in a single T20 competition, matching the feat achieved by Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League.With their explosive batting display on the biggest stage, India once again underlined their dominance in the shortest format of the game.

Daren Sammy (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has expressed frustration after the team’s return home from India was delayed following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The delay has been caused by international airspace restrictions in the Gulf region due to the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict, which has forced airlines to change several flight routes.

Sammy made his feelings clear on social media. In a short post on X, he wrote, “I just wanna go home.” Later, he also shared an emotional message on Instagram, saying, “Dear Lord. I put this situation in your hands and I pray that you bless everyone handling it. Give them all that is required to get us all safely to our destination sooner than later. These I ask in your precious name. Amen.”Cricket West Indies confirmed that the team’s travel plans had been postponed because of security concerns affecting flight routes in the Gulf region. In a statement, the board said, “These restrictions are a direct result of the security threats posed by military action in the Gulf Region, which has impacted several international flight routes and required airlines to adjust scheduled services for safety reasons.”The board also stressed that the safety of players, coaches, and staff remains the top priority and said it is working with the International Cricket Council, government authorities, and airlines to arrange the earliest safe journey home.The delay comes after West Indies were knocked out of the tournament in the Super Eights following a five-wicket defeat to India at Eden Gardens. Despite performing well in the group stage, the Caribbean side could not make the semi-finals.West Indies had posted 195/4 in their final match, but India chased the target comfortably, led by a brilliant unbeaten 97 from Sanju Samson.West Indies remain one of the most successful teams in T20 history, having won the T20 World Cup twice — in 2012 and 2016.

India’s Sanju Samson with head coach Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has praised India head coach Gautam Gambhir for backing Sanju Samson, whose red-hot form with the bat has become one of the biggest talking points of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.Samson was drafted back into the Indian playing XI after the team lost to South Africa, in what was effectively a knockout clash against the West Indies cricket team. The wicketkeeper-batter seized the opportunity in style, smashing a superb 97 during a tense chase to guide India to victory. He carried that momentum into the semi-final, producing a blistering 89 off just 42 balls as India defeated the England cricket team to book a place in the final against the New Zealand national cricket team.

Speaking on the ‘Game On Hai’ show on PTV Sports, Akhtar explained that Samson’s return to the side was not a straightforward call. According to the former pacer, Gambhir had to strongly advocate for the batter’s inclusion within the team management setup.“Samson has been in the Indian cricket circuit since 2014. Back in the days when I was working in India, around 2015, there was a lot of hype surrounding him. He had to wait for a long time to get regular chances as India had wicketkeepers like MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik and others. Even now, Gambhir has fought with everyone to get him into the team. Basically, his selection has been done forcefully and after a lot scrutiny. He didn’t feature in the tournament initially,” said Akhtar in a video shared by Tapmad.Samson’s numbers in the tournament underline his remarkable run of form. In four matches so far, he has accumulated 232 runs at an impressive average of 77.33 and a strike rate of 201.73, including two half-centuries. His highest score remains the unbeaten 97 against West Indies in the virtual quarter-final in Kolkata.The 31-year-old also etched his name alongside Virat Kohli after his semi-final heroics. Samson’s 89 against England equalled Kohli’s record for the highest score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup knockout match. Kohli had produced an identical 89 not out off 47 balls against the West Indies during the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 at the same venue.Samson has also dominated the six-hitting charts in this edition of the tournament. With 16 maximums to his name, he has already surpassed the previous Indian record of 15 sixes in a single T20 World Cup campaign, which was set by Rohit Sharma in the 2024 edition.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has urged the team management to consider a bold change ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 final, suggesting that out-of-form opener Abhishek Sharma should be rested for the title clash against New Zealand national cricket team. India will face the Kiwis in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Kaif believes the Indian think tank, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, should not hesitate to make a change for such a crucial game. Abhishek has endured a difficult campaign in the tenth edition of the tournament, crossing the 50-run mark only once and repeatedly struggling against spin bowling.

Opposition teams have targeted this weakness by introducing spinners during the powerplay. On four occasions in the tournament, Abhishek has fallen to spin, often while trying to attack from the outset. The aggressive approach that usually defines his batting has not paid off this time, and he has struggled to adapt by rotating the strike or taking time to settle at the crease.The situation has also been complicated by a health issue before the tournament began. Abhishek suffered a stomach infection and had to be hospitalised shortly before the competition started. The illness resulted in noticeable weight loss, and the lack of physical strength appears to have affected his bat swing and overall confidence. His struggles have also extended to the field, with the left-hander dropping two catches during India’s Super 8s encounter against the West Indies cricket team.Considering these factors, Kaif believes the team could benefit from bringing in Rinku Singh for the final.“India can give Abhishek Sharma a break. He has played many matches now. There is no harm in making changes. You can make changes in the shortest format. Roston Chase opened against India as Brandon King was out of form. They backed him for five or six matches, but they gave him a break for a big match. I believe that, like you brought in Sanju, and he did a great job, so that change worked in your favour,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.“India have proven players. Rinku Singh scores runs everywhere, be it Tests, Ranji Trophy, or the IPL. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj also take wickets everywhere. When you look in the dugout to see who can replace Abhishek Sharma, you see Rinku Singh sitting there. So, bring him in. A guy is struggling, and another guy is sitting outside despite doing well,” he added.Abhishek’s lack of runs at the top also prompted the team management to reintroduce Sanju Samson into the playing XI. The wicketkeeper-batter responded impressively, producing match-winning knocks against the West Indies and the England cricket team and earning Player of the Match awards in both games.Kaif also pointed out that Samson’s experience in high-pressure tournaments sets him apart from Abhishek, who is still relatively new to global events.“The biggest difference between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson is that Abhishek Sharma is still quite new to ICC events. He has a fantastic record, if you leave ICC events aside. There is a big difference when playing in an ICC event like the World Cup,” said Kaif.“Sanju has scored over 8000 runs in T20S. Be it the runs or six-hitting ability, his name comes in the top 10 in the IPL. He is already an established player. Abhishek Sharma is still young and has to work on his game. He is not a finished product. Don’t compare him with Sanju. Sanju is already a finished product. He made his India debut 11 years ago,” he concluded.

NEW DELHI: India legend Sunil Gavaskar lavished praise on vice-captain Axar Patel for his breathtaking fielding display in India’s nerve-wracking T20 World Cup semifinal win over England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Gavaskar even compared Axar’s impact in the field to that of Ravindra Jadeja, saying the all-rounder has stepped up to fill the void left by one of India’s greatest fielders.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India had earlier piled up a mammoth 253/7, powered by a blistering knock from Sanju Samson. England’s chase, however, threatened to derail India’s hopes as Jacob Bethell produced a sensational century to keep his side firmly in the contest.

But Axar’s brilliance in the field repeatedly halted England’s momentum.The first moment of magic came early in the chase when Jasprit Bumrah deceived Harry Brook with a slower delivery. Brook miscued the shot high over cover, and Axar sprinted back nearly 24 metres before diving forward to complete a stunning catch inches above the turf.ALSO READ: Axar Patel picks tougher of his two ‘out of this world’ catches — Watch & choose yours“Axar Patel’s catch to dismiss Harry Brook was unbelievable. Brook can take the game away and you have to grab every chance to get his wicket and Axar did that,” Gavaskar said while speaking on JioHotstar.“He ran 24 meters away from his fielding spot, kept his eyes on the ball, balanced himself and took the catch. Unbelievable stuff.”Axar wasn’t done yet. Later in the innings, when Will Jacks threatened to push England closer to the daunting target alongside Bethell, Axar produced another moment of brilliance. Chasing a sliced shot toward deep point, he ran hard across the turf, grabbed the ball while losing balance near the boundary rope and cleverly relayed it to Shivam Dube, who completed the catch.“He also played a key role in Will Jacks’ dismissal. The Bethell-Jacks partnership was taking the game away. But Axar ran to his left, grabbed the ball and smartly passed it to Shivam Dube,” Gavaskar added.Gavaskar believes Axar’s rise as a complete cricketer mirrors the impact Jadeja once had for India.“With his batting and bowling, Axar is going to be one of India’s great players. We had Ravindra Jadeja before him and Axar is filling that void well,” he said.

India’s Sanju Samson plays a shot during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 second semifinal cricket match between India and England, at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Thursday, March 5, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Hardik Pandya interacts with Dhoni and his son Agastya. (Video grabs)

NEW DELHI: India’s thrilling win over England in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the iconic Wankhede Stadium produced many memorable moments on the field, but it was an emotional off-field interaction involving Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni and Pandya’s son Agastya that has taken social media by storm.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Pandya played a crucial all-round role in India’s dramatic seven-run victory. The flamboyant all-rounder smashed 27 off just 12 balls to give India a late push with the bat and then returned to pick up two key wickets during England’s chase. He also produced a decisive moment in the field by running out England’s centurion Jacob Bethell, whose brilliant 105 had nearly taken the game away from India.

But the internet was equally captivated by a heartwarming moment after the match.A viral video shows Pandya looking up towards the stands to greet Dhoni, who was watching from the gallery as fans erupted in cheers. During the interaction, Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma brought his son Agastya next to Dhoni, creating a wholesome scene that quickly spread across social media.Dhoni was then seen helping the youngster locate his father, pointing down towards the players’ tunnel that leads to the dressing room. The touching moment between the legendary former captain and the young fan — Pandya’s son — melted hearts online.An Instagram user who shared the clip summed it up perfectly: “Moments like these are pure gold.”WATCH: Earlier in the match, India had produced a batting masterclass after being asked to bat first. Sanju Samson led the charge with a blazing 89 off 42 balls, his second successive half-century of the tournament. He stitched vital partnerships with Ishan Kishan (39 off 18) and Shivam Dube (43 off 25) as India piled up a massive 253/7 in 20 overs.England fought back bravely thanks to Bethell’s sensational century, but India’s bowlers held their nerve at the death. Jasprit Bumrah delivered a brilliant 18th over, conceding just six runs, before Pandya’s tight penultimate over swung the match decisively.England eventually finished on 246/7, falling seven runs short despite a valiant effort.India will now face New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, aiming to become the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title.