Abhishek Sharma (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma did not expect to begin the T20 World Cup 2026 the way he had planned, dreamt and desired. The swashbuckling opener, known for his blistering batting and high strike rate while pummelling bowlers all over the park, endured a nightmare start to the tournament. Abhishek was out for a duck in India’s opening match against the USA and then failed to score again in the next match against arch-rivals Pakistan.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!He was once again given a chance by the team management in the third match against the Netherlands, but it was the same story for Abhishek — a third consecutive duck.

The disappointment, lack of confidence and hunger to score were clearly visible on Abhishek’s face. That was when captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir stepped in to support the youngster during his tough phase.Abhishek has now revealed the radical advice he received from Gambhir and Surya during his darkest phase in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026.Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Abhishek admitted that after his second consecutive duck in the tournament, he was close to an emotional breakdown.“Slowly you get used to it. But it does feel bad (when there is criticism). That is going to happen in India because people have a lot of expectations from you. After I scored three ducks, Surya, GG sir and Hardik Pandya came to me and said, ‘Phone pakad, social media hata abhi ke abhi [take your phone and uninstall social media right now]’,” Abhishek said. “That was the first thing I did after my second zero. That actually helped me a bit. I was getting a lot of suggestions and comments from people. That’s how a cricketer’s life is. You have to listen and you will be criticised. All you can do is listen and ignore. That is because they have a lot of expectations from you. Sometimes you deliver and sometimes you don’t. I expected this.”After scoring three ducks in a row, Abhishek finally returned among the runs with 15 against South Africa. He soon regained his rhythm, scoring 55 against Zimbabwe and looking close to his fluent best.However, he once again struggled against England, managing just nine runs.All eyes were on him in the title clash. This time, however, Abhishek had other plans. He smashed New Zealand bowlers all over the park in the final, scoring a blistering 52 off just 21 balls and stitching a 98-run opening partnership with Sanju Samson to lay a solid foundation for India.India went on to post a massive 255/5 in their allotted 20 overs before bowling New Zealand out for 159 to win the T20 World Cup 2026 title.It was India’s third T20 World Cup triumph, having previously lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2024.

NEW DELHI: Big tournaments often reveal the finer aspects of leadership, and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting observed plenty of that in the way India navigated their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign under skipper Suryakumar Yadav.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India entered the tournament as favourites, carrying high expectations while also dealing with form concerns within the squad. The captain himself endured a difficult campaign with the bat. Apart from a rescue knock of 84* off 49 balls in the opener against USA, Yadav scored 158 runs across the remaining eight innings. Despite that, he guided the team to peak at the most crucial moments.

Ponting believes the true measure of captaincy often lies behind closed doors.“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,” Ponting said as per the ICC website.The Australian great also pointed out that leading a side becomes even tougher when a captain’s personal form dips, something Yadav experienced during the tournament.“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,” Ponting noted. “I know, as a former captain, when you’re not batting at your absolute best, captaincy can become really difficult. And when you are batting well, captaincy can become really easy.”Ponting also highlighted how Yadav managed players under pressure, especially those struggling with form and confidence.“It would have been really interesting to see how Surya has interacted with Abhishek (Sharma) and Sanju (Samson) over the last few weeks. That’s where the real stories will come out on true leadership,” he added.Abhishek Sharma, the ICC No. 1-ranked T20I batter, had a turbulent run during the tournament. He registered three consecutive ducks, followed by low scores of 15, 10 and 9, and managed only one fifty before the final. However, on the biggest stage of the tournament, he found his form again, smashing 52 off 21 balls and recording the fastest fifty of the 2026 edition in just 18 deliveries.“You don’t have to worry about the staples, it’s more the guys on the fringe and the younger guys going up and down with their emotions and battling with their form, the ones you have to spend the most time with,” he noted.A key tournament decision came at the top of the order when Sanju Samson was given renewed backing. His first opportunity came early in the campaign as cover for Sharma, but he was dropped again before being recalled for a crucial fixture against Zimbabwe. Samson seized the opportunity and turned it into a dominant run.A blistering 97* in a virtual knockout against West Indies sparked his surge. He followed it up with scores of 89 (42) in the semifinal against England and 89 (46) in the final against New Zealand. In just five innings, Samson amassed 321 runs — the most by an Indian in a single T20 World Cup.Ponting emphasised the importance of India’s faith in the wicketkeeper-batter.“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,” he said. “If you get the backing of the coaching staff and the captain, then that’s all you need… 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,” he concluded.

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.”

Suryakumar Yadav (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav marked a special milestone as he completed five years in international cricket. His journey with the national team began on March 14, 2022, when he made his debut against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Coincidentally, it was the same venue where he recently led India to their historic third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title after defeating New Zealand earlier this week.“5 years ago, a dream turned into reality. Wearing the India jersey is a feeling I can still never fully put into words. Here’s to many more memories that we’re going to create, for team India,” he wrote on X.

Suryakumar’s path to the international stage was far from straightforward. Unlike many cricketers who break through at a young age, he spent several years proving his credentials in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League before finally earning a call-up to the national side. Once he got the opportunity, he made sure to make an immediate and lasting impact.One of the standout moments of his career came during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies. As an important member of the squad, he played a key role in helping India end their long wait for a global ICC title.Since his debut, the Mumbai-born batter has emerged as one of the most destructive players in the shortest format. In 113 T20 Internationals, he has amassed 3,272 runs at an average of 36.35 while striking at an impressive rate of 162.94, numbers that reflect the flair and unpredictability he brings whenever he walks out to bat.His tally includes four centuries and 25 half-centuries. Among them, his explosive 117 against England in Nottingham on July 10, 2022, remains one of the most memorable innings of his career, reinforcing his reputation as an innovative and fearless T20 batter.Apart from his batting exploits, Suryakumar has also developed into a dependable leader for India in the format. In 52 T20 Internationals as captain, he has led the team to 40 wins while suffering only eight defeats, underlining the confident and attacking approach he brings to the role.

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.