Punjab Kings (PBKS) spinner Yuzvendra Chahal hailed Sanju Samson for his heroics in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2026, calling it the best comeback ever. The right-hander was dropped for the playing XI at the start of the tournament after an underwhelming T20I series against New Zealand at the start of the year.
However, with India struggling to get off to positive starts amid a top three of left-handers, Samson returned to the lineup. He went on to score a hat-trick of half-centuries, including a pair in the semifinal and final, in India’s final three games of their title run.
Talking about Samson’s incredible performances at the back end of the T20 World Cup, Chahal said on AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel (13:25):
“His series before against New Zealand wasn’t up to the mark. So there was a lot of pressure. It was one of the best comebacks that I’ve seen in my cricket journey. That too, it wasn’t in some bilateral series or Asia Cup, it was in the World Cup. His batting made the last three matches one-sided, except maybe the England game.”
Despite playing only five out of India’s nine matches, Samson led them in scoring and finished third in the competition with 321 runs at an average of over 80 and a strike rate of almost 200. As a result, he was adjudged the Player of the Tournament.
“Had he given even 11 in one of them, the match might have been over” – Yuzvendra Chahal hails Jasprit Bumrah
Yuzvendra Chahal hailed India’s bowling hero Jasprit Bumrah for his consistent and impactful showing in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The ace pacer finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker in the competition with 14 scalps at an average of 12.42 and an economy of 6.21.
Bumrah was at his incredible best in India’s seven-run win over England in the semifinal, conceding only 33 off four overs in a run-chase of 254. He bowled his final two overs for a mere 16 runs with England chasing 69 off the last five overs.
“His two overs in the semifinal, where he gave eight and six runs, had he given even 11 in one of them, the match might have been over. In T20s, we always highlight the batters more, especially when someone scores an 8-ball 25 or a 10-ball 35. But bowlers like Bumrah actually need to be talked about more. In 250 pitches, small grounds, and with dew, that guy comes into every match with the same energy and passion,” said Chahal (via the aforementioned source).
Bumrah also stepped up big in the final against New Zealand, finishing with outstanding figures of 4/15 in four overs to walk away with the Player of the Match award.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
