Jasprit Bumrah should get the Award: Sanju Samson dedicates Player of the Match to India Pacer after Semifinal Win

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Sanju Samson's explosive 89 off 42 balls powered India to a commanding 253/7 in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday (March 5).

The in-form opener, fresh from his unbeaten 97 against West Indies, seized the initiative after India were inserted to bat.

Dropped on 15 by Harry Brook, a costly error, Samson unleashed carnage, smashing 8 fours and 7 towering sixes at a blistering strike rate of over 211. He raced to fifty off just 26 balls, dominating pacers like Jofra Archer and spinners alike with audacious strokeplay, including inside-out drives and brutal pulls.

His belligerent knock laid the foundation for India's record-breaking knockout total, the highest in T20 World Cup semi-finals history. Samson fell holing out to deep extra cover off Will Jacks, but his fireworks earned him Player of the Match honors and set up India's thrilling 7-run victory.

Credit goes to Jasprit Bumrah: Sanju Samson

As the 31-year-old was awarded Player of the Match, Sanju credited Jasprit Bumrah for his outstanding bowling and dedicated his award to the Indian pacer. Bumrah's bowling at the death was superb as he only conceded 33 runs in four overs, when the other bowlers went for over 12 an over. And Samson heaped praises on the Indian pacer.

"Very happy how the team turned up today and all credit goes to Jasprit Bumrah, I think the world-class bowler, once in a generation bowler, I think that's what he delivered today, I think this should go to him actually, so I think if he didn't bowl that way and the death overs, I think I would not be standing here, so all credit goes to the bowlers, how they backed themselves in the tough conditions," Sanju said at the post-match presentation.

The India batter has been superb with the bat in this tournament. After his stellar 97 against West Indies, Sanju's knock in this encounter against England was impeccable.

"It feels really great. To be honest, I kind of knew that I got some form going from the last game, so I thought I need to continue. I think it's not easy, you find form at the crucial games for your country. I gave myself an extra time, I think calculated my innings a bit, I prepared really well and I think things came off nicely, got a bit lucky to start off and then, yeah, I think I just wanted to carry on," he added.