Not Sanju Samson, Team India Awards 'Impact Player' Medal To This Star After Beating West Indies To Enter T20 World Cup Semi-Finals
The most important aspect of India's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has been different players standing up in different matches
The most important aspect of India's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has been different players standing up in different matches. If it was Suryakumar Yadav in the first match against the USA, it was Sanju Samson in the Super 8 clash against the West Indies. On Sunday, Samson slammed 97*-the second-highest score by an Indian in T20 World Cups-to help India chase down a challenging 196-run target set by the West Indies. However, it was Jasprit Bumrah who was adjudged the 'Impact Player of the Match' after a decisive spell that restricted the West Indies to a chaseable total.
Bumrah returned figures of 2/36 from his four overs. While the numbers may not fully reflect his influence, the timing of his breakthroughs proved pivotal. In the 12th over of the innings, with the West Indies looking to accelerate, Bumrah struck twice-removing the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase-to derail the Caribbean side's momentum and tilt the contest firmly in India's favour.
His ability to deliver in pressure situations once again underlined why he remains India's go-to bowler in crunch moments. The twin strikes not only stemmed the flow of runs but also exposed the middle order, allowing India to tighten the screws in the death overs.
Presenting the medal, India's fielding coach T. Dilip lauded the team's collective intensity while singling out Bumrah for his composure in decisive phases.
"Brilliant stuff, brilliant effort, well done. We're a gun team, and today we showed with our intent what it means to be that. That's what the play was today. Today's game reminds me of my favourite quote: 'The strength of the team is each individual, and the strength of each individual is the team.' Today we represented that through care and belief every time we did that. Outstanding efforts. The impact player goes to someone who owns the big moments most of the time with his calm face and deadly execution. He's none other than Jasprit Bumrah," he said while presenting the medal to the pacer.
Bigger the occasion, bigger is his 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 🫡
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2026
🎥 Our Impact Player of the Match medal presentation, ft. a happy dressing room 🏅 👏
🔽 Watch | #TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #INDvWI | @Jaspritbumrah93 https://t.co/yU5P0k971E
Bumrah, in turn, credited his teammates for holding their nerve during the chase and ensuring India crossed the line without panic. He said, "Thank you so much. Special mention to Dube as well-the two fours that he hit didn't let the pressure come into our team. So yeah, special mention to him. Tilak also played a great knock, not taking away anything from him. But yes, come the big day, we're off to get together and hopefully do well in Mumbai. Cheers."
India Cricket Team
West Indies Cricket Team
Sanju Samson
Jasprit Bumrah