VD Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, has lauded cricketer Sanju Samson for his significant role in Team India's triumph at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The final match, held in Ahmedabad, saw India defeating New Zealand by a margin of 96 runs.

After struggling with form during the series against New Zealand and facing challenges in his initial matches of the tournament, Samson made a stunning comeback. He delivered three consecutive match-winning performances, starting with an unbeaten 97 in a crucial Super 8s match against the West Indies, helping India chase down a target of over 190 runs.

He followed this with a vital 89 runs in the semifinal against England and contributed significantly in the final, scoring 89 runs as India set the pace against New Zealand.

In a statement, Satheesan expressed his pride in Samson's achievements during the World Cup, referring to him as a close friend. "We are all proud of him. He is a very close friend of mine, and I am extremely proud of his accomplishments," Satheesan remarked.

Throughout the tournament, Samson amassed a total of 321 runs across five innings, boasting an impressive average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. His performance included 27 fours and 24 sixes, making him the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament. Notably, he surpassed Virat Kohli's previous record of 319 runs from the 2014 T20 World Cup, setting a new benchmark for the most runs by an Indian in a single T20 World Cup edition.

Additionally, Samson joined the ranks of elite players like Virat Kohli and Shahid Afridi, achieving fifties in both the semifinal and final of the T20 World Cup.

India's victory over New Zealand by 96 runs marked a historic moment as they successfully defended their T20 World Cup title. This win made India the first team to secure the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to achieve consecutive titles following their 2024 victory, and the first to lift the trophy three times, having previously won in 2007, 2024, and now in 2026.