New Delhi, March 12: The Indian cricket team has emerged as the champion of the T20 World Cup 2026, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final. Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson was awarded the Player of the Tournament, but former South African captain AB de Villiers has a different opinion.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, de Villiers stated, “There was a close contest between Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson for the Player of the Tournament. There were moments during the tournament when Bumrah’s bowling made me feel he could have been awarded the Player of the Tournament.”
De Villiers elaborated, “Bumrah took the most wickets, making him a strong contender for the award. His performance in key overs and moments played a crucial role 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 course of the match. He is an asset.”
In the World Cup, Bumrah took 14 wickets in 8 matches, tying for the top spot with Varun Chakravarthy, who played one more match. However, Bumrah’s economy rate was significantly more effective compared to Varun. In the decisive matches of the tournament, Bumrah delivered outstanding performances against formidable teams like England and New Zealand.
On the other hand, Sanju Samson made a significant impact with his bat, playing a vital role in India’s championship victory. He played 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.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.