Watch: Virat Kohli comes with special story for Sanju Samson – T20 World Cup 2026 Player of the Tournament

While the Indian cricketer Sanju Samson stunned the cricket world with his remarkable comeback to become one of India's heroes to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 title at home, former Indian captain Virat Kohli came up with a special story for the wicketkeeper-batter. 

Sanju Samson won Player of the Tournament award despite missing some early games

Before the tournament, Sanju Samson lost his place in the Men in Blue's playing XI, as the wicketkeeper-batter wasn't favourite as the first choice player. In his first two matches of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Samson provided a short but fiery start with 22 runs in eight balls and 24 runs in 15 balls against Namibia (Group Stage) and Zimbabwe (Super Eights), respectively.

However, in the key moment of the tournament, Sanju proved himself with his dominant batting performances. While their last game of the Super Eights against the West Indies was a virtual knockout game, Sanju's unbeaten 97 runs helped the Men in Blue to chase their record-breaking target in the tournament history. 

Later, in the Semi-final and Final against England and New Zealand, respectively, Sanju scored 89 runs in each game, which proved to be important match-winning performances for the hosts, as they successfully defended the title. 

Despite playing only five matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, Sanju finished as the third leading run-scorer with 321 runs and won the Player of the Tournament award. 

What a remarkable tournament from the most well deserved man of the tournament: Virat Kohli on Sanju Samson

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli feels proud of Sanju Samson, as the T20 World Cup 2024 Final Player of the Match called the wicketkeeper-batter well-deserved Player of the Tournament.

Kohli wrote on his Instagram story, "What a remarkable tournament from the most well deserved man of the tournament @imsanjusamson. You performed when it mattered the most. Really happy for you Chetta."