Abhishek made an impact in the final against New Zealand, scoring 52 from 21 balls and giving India a quick start along with Sanju Samson after the side was asked to bat first. India posted 255 for five and went on to win the match by 96 runs, becoming the first team to defend a T20 World Cup title.
Sanju Samson's stellar performance earned him Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup 2026, driving India's victory. Despite starting as a reserve, Samson amassed 321 runs in five matches, including three crucial half-centuries. His record-breaking feats and inspiring journey, including guidance from Sachin Tendulkar, highlight a career-defining tournament.
A day before the T20 World Cup final, mind games have begun between India and New Zealand. Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner said restricting India to around 220 instead of 250 could help his team. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav jokingly dismissed the remark, saying “Jhooth bol raha hai,” adding India will adapt to the pitch rather than target a fixed total.
Quinton de Kock slammed the ICC over perceived preferential treatment for England's departure from the T20 World Cup. While England is set to fly home soon after their semi-final exit, South Africa and West Indies, eliminated earlier, remain stranded in India awaiting charter flights. This has sparked accusations of unequal influence among cricket nations.
Former Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar commends India coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir strongly advocated for Sanju Samson's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. Samson has since delivered exceptional performances. His batting has been a major highlight of the tournament. He has scored significantly and broken records. This has helped India reach the final.
Liverpool reached the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3–1 win over Wolves, avenging a recent league defeat. Andrew Robertson’s long-range strike and Mohamed Salah’s quick follow-up put them ahead before Curtis Jones sealed victory. Hwang Hee-chan scored late. The win keeps Liverpool’s fading season alive in the Champions League hopes.
Sanju Samson's blistering 89 powered India to a massive total before the bowlers held their nerve in a six-hitting thriller at the Wankhede. England threatened through Jacob Bethell's century, but Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya's exceptional bowling sealed a dramatic seven-run win as India set up a T20 World Cup 2026 final clash with New Zealand.
Mohammad Kaif sharply rebuked Mohammad Amir for his persistent doubts about India's T20 World Cup campaign. Kaif accused Amir of seeking publicity and highlighted Pakistan's loss to the USA, questioning Amir's credibility to critique others. He urged India to ignore such noise, emphasizing that engaging only amplifies the desired attention.
Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel expressed concern over the team's fielding standards ahead of their T20 World Cup semifinal against England. Despite reaching the last four, India's catching efficiency is the lowest in the tournament. Patel praised Sanju Samson's match-winning knock and Jasprit Bumrah's crucial wickets, emphasizing the need for early breakthroughs against England's strong batting lineup.