T20 World Cup 2026: Sanju Samson levels Virat Kohli with rare semi-final and final fifty feat

Sanju Samson delivered another impressive performance as Indian team wicketkeeper-batter scored his third consecutive half-century in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The milestone came during the final against New Zealand on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner had earlier won the toss and opted to field first.

India got off to a flying start thanks to Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a rapid 50 off just 18 balls. Samson then took charge of the innings after Sharma’s dismissal. The right-hander played a series of spectacular strokes, maintaining the attacking momentum and anchoring the innings. Continuing his superb form in the tournament, Samson brought up another well-deserved half-century, becoming only the third batter to score fifties in both the semifinal and the final of a single T20 World Cup edition.

With this performance, Samson also entered the record books as the seventh player in T20 World Cup history to register three consecutive 50-plus scores in the tournament. Samson became the third player to score a fifty in both the semi-final and final of a T20 World Cup, after Shahid Afridi (2009) and Virat Kohli (2014).

Samson’s remarkable form began in the final Super Eight match against West Indies, which effectively served as a virtual quarter-final for India. In that crucial encounter, he played a match-winning knock of 97 not out off 50 balls, helping India secure their place in the knockout stages.

Interestingly, the Kerala-born batter had struggled for form leading up to the World Cup and even endured a difficult five-match T20I series against New Zealand, where he failed to make a significant impact. Initially included as a backup option in the squad, Samson seized his opportunity when it mattered the most, delivering match-winning performances in high-pressure situations.

In the semifinal against England, Samson produced a sensational knock of 89 off 42 balls, propelling India past the 250-run mark. He continued that momentum in the final as well, finishing with 89 off 46 balls, an innings decorated with five fours and eight sixes. His aggressive batting also helped him set another tournament record, as Samson now holds the most sixes in a single T20 World Cup edition with 24, surpassing Finn Allen’s previous record of 20 sixes.

India’s journey to the final has been equally impressive. The defending champions remained unbeaten in the group stage, registering wins over Pakistan, United States, Netherlands, and Namibia. Although they lost their first Super Eight match against South Africa, India bounced back strongly with victories over Zimbabwe and the West Indies.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s campaign had its own ups and downs. They suffered a group-stage defeat to South Africa, but registered wins against Afghanistan, Canada, and United Arab Emirates. Their Super Eight match against Pakistan was washed out, after which they defeated Sri Lanka but lost to England. However, New Zealand bounced back strongly in the semifinal by defeating South Africa, securing a place in the final as they aim to lift their maiden T20 World Cup title.