New Delhi, March 12: The Indian cricket team has emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2026, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final. Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson was named Player of the Tournament. However, former South African captain AB de Villiers has a different perspective on this accolade.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, de Villiers stated, “There was a close contest between Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson for Player of the Tournament. There were moments during the tournament when Bumrah’s bowling made me feel he could have been awarded the title.”
De Villiers elaborated, “Bumrah took the most wickets, making him a strong contender for Player of the Tournament. His exceptional overs and performances were crucial for India.”
He added, “Bowling as a fast bowler in India is not easy unless you are Bumrah. He shifts into a different gear at critical times and changes the match. He is an asset.”
In the World Cup, Bumrah claimed 14 wickets across 8 matches, tying for the top spot with Varun Chakravarthy, who played one more match. Bumrah’s economy rate was notably more effective than Varun’s. His outstanding performances in decisive matches against teams like England and New Zealand showcased his talent.
As for Sanju Samson, he certainly made a significant impact with his bat, playing a vital role in leading India to the championship. He participated in only 5 matches, scoring 321 runs at an impressive strike rate of nearly 200. His memorable innings included an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in the quarter-finals, 89 in the semi-finals against England, and another 89 in the final against New Zealand, which earned him the Player of the Tournament title.
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PK
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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