The India national cricket team lifted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title after defeating the New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs on Sunday night. While the victory was a collective effort, a few players delivered standout performances in crucial moments and played a key role in making India world champions.
Here are the five heroes behind India’s T20 World Cup triumph:
1. Sanju Samson: Big-match performer with consecutive fifties
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson emerged as India’s trump card in the tournament. He scored three consecutive fifties for the team.
Samson, who initially struggled to secure a place in the playing XI during the league stage, finally got an opportunity against the West Indies in Kolkata when India needed a win. On a challenging pitch, he played a remarkable unbeaten 97-run knock, guiding India to a competitive total.
He continued his form in the knockout stage, scoring 89 runs in the semifinal against England and another 89 in the final against New Zealand. Samson finished as India’s highest run-scorer in the tournament and was named Player of the Tournament.
2. Jasprit Bumrah: Tournament’s leading wicket-taker
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Final for his outstanding bowling performance. Against New Zealand, he picked up 4 wickets for just 15 runs in his four overs. Bumrah also finished as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, claiming 14 wickets in eight matches.
In the semifinal against England national cricket team, his precise bowling turned the match in India’s favor. England were chasing 254 runs and had reached 185/5 in 15 overs, looking set for victory. At that crucial moment, captain Suryakumar Yadav handed Bumrah the ball. His tight two-over spell conceded just 14 runs, creating pressure and helping India secure a seven-run win.
3. Ishan Kishan: Three fifties in the tournament
Opener Ishan Kishan, who was selected in the squad at the last moment, proved his worth by scoring three half-centuries in the tournament.
In the final, he smashed 52 runs off just 21 balls at a blistering strike rate of 247.61. Kishan also shared a 105-run partnership in 48 balls with Sanju Samson, setting the platform for India’s massive total.
Earlier, against Pakistan national cricket team, he built a crucial 88-run partnership with Tilak Varma after Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for zero. Kishan scored 77 runs in that match. He also hit a half-century against Namibia national cricket team.
Overall, Kishan scored 317 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 193.29, making him India’s second-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
4. Hardik Pandya: All-round brilliance
All-rounder Hardik Pandya played a crucial role with both bat and ball. In nine matches, he scored 217 runs, including a half-century, at a strike rate of 160.74. He also picked up nine wickets.
In the semifinal against England, Pandya delivered an outstanding all-round performance. He scored 27 runs off 12 balls at a strike rate of 225, helping India cross the 250-run mark.
With the ball, he struck immediately, dismissing Phil Salt on his very first delivery. Pandya later bowled a tight 19th over, conceding just nine runs, which proved decisive in India’s victory.
5. Shivam Dube: Crucial finishing touch in the final
All-rounder Shivam Dube played a key cameo in the final. India had reached 203 runs in 15 overs, but a sudden collapse followed when Jimmy Neesham dismissed Sanju Samson (89), Ishan Kishan (52) and Suryakumar Yadav (0) in the 16th over.
In the next 24 balls, India managed only 28 runs, and even reaching 250 seemed difficult.
However, in the 20th over, Dube attacked Neesham, smashing two sixes and three fours. His quick 26 runs off just eight balls powered India to a massive 255-run total in the final.
Dube had also played a key role in the semifinal against England, scoring 43 runs off 25 balls, helping India post a formidable score.