Sanju Samson has been included in the ICC's nominees for the Player of the Tournament award in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. The wicketkeeper-batter from India, who was not in the starting lineup at the start of the season, has now made his way onto the ICC shortlist.
Considering that Samson has only participated in four games of the competition thus far, his ascent in the race is very impressive. However, the right-hander has amassed 232 runs at an average of 77.33 and a strike rate of 201.73 within that short span, making him one of the tournament's most potent batters.
The ICC on Friday announced an eight-man shortlist for the award, which includes England’s Will Jacks, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan, South Africa duo Lungi Ngidi and Aiden Markram, New Zealand pair Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert, and USA pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk.
Samson’s presence in the shortlist for the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament shows how much of an impact he has had in India’s progress to the final of the tournament.
It's a hot field as the eight nominees in the race to be named the #T20WorldCup Player of the Tournament have been unveiled ????
— ICC (@ICC) March 6, 2026
Details ????https://t.co/eM577zfYXs
Samson played his first game in the tournament against Namibia and scored 22 runs. He was then brought into India XI for the Zimbabwe game, scoring 24 runs. Samson’s big knock came against the West Indies, when he made 97* in the successful chase of a 196-run target. Then Samson made 89 runs as India posted 253/7 in 20 overs in the semi-final against England.
T20 World Cup 2026 Player of the Tournament nominees:
Sanju Samson (India): 232 runs in 4 matches, Avg 77.33, SR 201.73
Will Jacks (England): 226 runs, 9 wickets in 8 matches
Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan): 383 runs in 7 matches, Avg 76.60
Lungi Ngidi (South Africa): 12 wickets in 7 matches, Econ 7.19
Aiden Markram (South Africa): 286 runs and 1 wicket in 8 matches
Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand): 128 runs and 11 wickets in 8 matches
Shadley van Schalkwyk (USA): 13 wickets in 4 matches, Econ 6.80
Tim Seifert (New Zealand): 274 runs in 8 matches, Avg 45.66
(ICC inputs)
