‘He is a combination of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’ – Anil Kumble’s big claim about Indian star after T20 World Cup 2026 final

Anil Kumble compared Sanju Samson’s batting in the 2026 T20 World Cup to legendary Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The wicketkeeper-batter won the Player of the Tournament award after scoring three consecutive half-centuries, helping India lift the T20 World Cup title for the third time.

In the final, Samson top-scored with a 46-ball 89, hitting five fours and eight sixes against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8.

While praising Samson’s performance, Kumble said that the 31-year-old played with caution when required, as Kohli does, and took the attack to the bowlers inside the power play like Rohit Sharma.

“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.

What you can see is a guy that is in form: Faf du Plessis

Former South African captain Faf du Plessis lauded Samson, highlighting how the Pulluvila-born stayed true to his game plan in every match in the marquee event.

“What you can see is a guy that is in form and really true to the way that he wants to play. It looks like I am watching the previous innings again. It’s just the game plan on display,” remarked du Plessis.

Apart from Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan scored blistering half-centuries in the final. Shivam Dube also played a key cameo down the order as India posted a massive 255/5. In reply, the Kiwis were bowled out for just 159 in 19 overs, losing the match by 96 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers, as he bagged a four-for.