T20 World Cup: Indian batsman Sanju among eight players shortlisted for Player of the Tournament

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the shortlist of players nominated for the Player of the Tournament award in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. India’s Sanju Samson is the only Indian cricketer included in the list.

According to the list released by the ICC, eight players have been nominated for the prestigious award. New Zealand and South Africa, the two finalists of the tournament, have two players each on the shortlist.

Sanju Samson has been in excellent form during the tournament, scoring 232 runs in four matches at an average of 77.33 and an impressive strike rate of 201.73.

The Indian wicketkeeper-batter delivered back-to-back match-winning performances in the knockout stages. He scored an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls in the Super 8s clash against the West Indies, followed by a quick 89 off 42 balls in the semifinal, earning Player of the Match awards in both games.

England all-rounder Will Jacks is also among the nominees after delivering impactful performances with both bat and ball. In eight matches, he scored 226 runs and picked up nine wickets, while also claiming four Player of the Match awards.

Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan had a remarkable tournament, scoring 383 runs in seven matches at an average of 76.60. He also set a record for the most runs in a single edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup and became the first player to score two centuries in one edition, with hundreds against Sri Lanka and Namibia.

South Africa’s pace spearhead Lungi Ngidi also made the shortlist after taking 12 wickets in seven matches with an economy rate of 7.19. His performances included a four-wicket haul against Canada and a three-wicket spell against Afghanistan.

Another South African nominee, Aiden Markram, scored 286 runs in eight matches, including three half-centuries, playing a key role in the team’s journey to the final.

New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra earned a nomination after contributing with both bat and ball, taking 11 wickets and scoring 128 runs during the tournament.

Despite the United States exiting in the group stage, pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk impressed with the ball, claiming 13 wickets in four matches with an economy rate of 6.80, making him one of the leading wicket-takers of the tournament.

New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert also featured on the shortlist after scoring 274 runs in eight matches at an average of 45.66, including three half-centuries. His 58-run knock against South Africa in the semifinal helped guide New Zealand to the final.
The winner of the Player of the Tournament award will be announced after the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final.