New Delhi, March 15: Legendary cricketer Ricky Ponting has stated that keeping wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson higher up in the batting order was a crucial decision for India’s successful ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. According to Ponting, the trust shown by captain Suryakumar Yadav and the coaching staff in Samson was key to their victories in high-stakes matches.
Samson faced a challenging start in the tournament, managing only 46 runs across five T20 matches against New Zealand. He got his chance to play against Namibia in the group stage when Abhishek Sharma was sidelined due to a stomach infection. Later, he was included in the team again for the Super-8 match against Zimbabwe, where he scored 24 runs off 15 balls.
In a near knockout match against the West Indies in Kolkata, Samson delivered an impressive unbeaten 97 runs. He followed this with 89 runs in the semi-final against England in Mumbai. In the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, he made a memorable 89 runs off 46 balls. Throughout the tournament, he amassed a total of 321 runs in five innings, the highest by any Indian batsman in a single T20 World Cup edition, earning him the title of ‘Player of the Tournament.’
Ponting mentioned on ‘The ICC Review’ show that placing Samson in the top order was a bold and significant decision, but it paid off. He emphasized that when captains and coaches show confidence in their players, it has a profoundly positive impact. Even a small word of encouragement can boost a player’s confidence. According to Ponting, when a player possesses talent and receives team support, remarkable results follow.
Ponting also commended Suryakumar Yadav for his excellent leadership throughout the tournament. Abhishek Sharma contributed significantly in the final, scoring 52 runs off just 21 balls, showcasing the captain’s ability to inspire better performances from his players.
He noted that although Suryakumar’s form fluctuated during the tournament, he managed his captaincy responsibilities well. Ponting remarked that when a player is in great form, captaincy becomes easier, but handling the team during a slump is challenging. Nonetheless, Suryakumar played a vital role in leading the team to World Cup victory.
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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