[WATCH] T20 World Cup 2026: Yuzvendra Chahal reveals his pick for Player of the Tournament

Veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has revealed his top picks ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to start from February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. 

The Punjab Kings spinner was asked to pick his choices for the different categories. When asked about who will hit the most number of sixes in the marquee event, he picked Abhishek Sharma. According to Chahal, Abhishek will also be the best batter of the tournament.

Further, the 35-year-old picked Jasprit Bumrah as the best bowler and the top Player of the Tournament contender. He stated much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash as the one he is looking forward to the most in the multi-national tournament. The spinner also said that 240 will be the highest total in the upcoming T20 WC. 

Watch the conversation here-

‘Pressure should not be an excuse’ – Chahal’s blunt take on Sanju Samson’s struggles

The veteran spinner opened up on Sanju Samson’s recent struggles with the bat. The Kerala batter has been struggling in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand.

Talking about his place in the playing XI amid impressive performances by Ishan Kishan, Chahal opined that the new CSK recruit has been playing both IPL and international cricket since long and that pressure should not be an excuse for underperformance.

“Sanju Samson has played for many years. He started in the IPL middle-order, then became an opener. After playing international cricket for 10-12 years, pressure should not be an excuse,” Chahal said on JioHotstar.

“He (Samson) has had four chances in this series. I can accept failure in one or two matches, but not in three or four. He knows someone like Ishan Kishan, who is the backup and is batting well at number three, is waiting,” Chahal added.

India, who have a 3-1 lead, will be taking on New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram, Sanju Samson’s hometown, in the fifth and final T20I of the series.