India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026: Sanju Samson Becomes Second Indian Batsman After Virat Kohli To Score Back-to-Back 50s In Knockouts

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Samson, who had already produced match-winning performances earlier in the tournament, scored a half-century off 33 balls in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday (March 8). His latest effort comes after an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls against West Indies in Kolkata on March 1 and a blistering 89 off 42 balls against England in Mumbai on March 5, underlining his consistency at the top order.

With this innings, Samson also became only the second Indian batter after KL Rahul to register three consecutive half-centuries in a T20 World Cup. Rahul had achieved the feat during the 2021 edition of the tournament, when he scored 69 against Afghanistan on November 3, 50 against Scotland on November 5, and an unbeaten 54 against Namibia on November 8.

Batsmen With 50s In Both Semifinals And Finals Of T20 WC

The first player to accomplish this feat was Shahid Afridi, who achieved it during the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. The former Pakistan captain played crucial innings in both the semifinal and the final, helping Pakistan national cricket team lift the title.

Five years later, Virat Kohli joined the elite list in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. Kohli produced match-winning knocks in the semifinal and the final, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and finishing the tournament as one of the standout performers for the India national cricket team.

Now, Sanju Samson has added his name to this exclusive list during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. With half-centuries in both the semifinal and the final, the wicketkeeper-batter has demonstrated remarkable consistency on the biggest stage, playing a key role in India's campaign in the tournament.

Most Consecutive 50-Plus Scores In T20 WCs