'Sanju Samson is a combination of Kohli and Rohit': Anil Kumble's ultimate praise for India star after T20 World Cup glory

Anil Kumble has offered high praise for Sanju Samson following India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, describing his batting style as a seamless blend of Rohit Sharma’s aggression and Virat Kohli’s tactical precision. After beginning the tournament on the sidelines, Samson’s reintroduction to the playing XI proved to be the masterstroke of the campaign. His impactful return saw him deliver a series of record-breaking performances during the knockout stages, ultimately earning him the coveted Player of the Tournament award.

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Sanju Samson's batting heroics win India T20 World Cup 2026 title

Samson’s incredible run of form was ignited by a commanding, unbeaten 97 against the West Indies during the Super 8 stage in Kolkata. He maintained this elite level of play by scoring identical knocks of 89 in both the semi-final and the grand final. This achievement etched his name alongside Virat Kohli as only the second Indian to register half-centuries in both knockout rounds of a single T20 World Cup. Furthermore, his performance in the final established a new record for the highest individual score ever recorded in a T20 World Cup championship match.

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Anil Kumble likens Samson with Kohli and Rohit

Statistically, Samson’s impact was historic, as he amassed 321 runs across just five innings to surpass Kohli’s long-standing record for the most runs by an Indian in a single edition of the tournament. Kumble noted that Samson displayed a rare versatility, mirroring Kohli’s ability to bat sensibly through high-pressure phases while simultaneously channelling Rohit’s explosive power to dismantle bowling attacks during the powerplay. This balanced approach solidified his role as the cornerstone of India’s successful title defense.

“If you look at the previous World Cup in 2024, it had Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both are great players, very difficult to replace them. I think Samson is a combination of Kohli and Rohit, in a sense. When it required a little bit of Kohli, where you just plan and ensure that you don’t lose wickets. And then whenever you need to accelerate, in the powerplay, you want to take on the bowlers [like Rohit],” Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo.