India successfully defended their T20 World Cup title by defeating New Zealand in the final. Here's how their players fared throughout the tournament.
Abhishek Sharma - 6.5/10
141 runs @ 17.62, SR: 158.42, HS: 55, 2 fifties
1 wicket @ 15.0, Econ: 7.5, BBI: 1-5
This was supposed to be Abhishek's World Cup. But the top-ranked T20I batter was kept in check by opposition off-spinners, with the tactics working against him more often than not. Nevertheless, he came into his own in the final and laid the base for a massive total. He also picked up the last New Zealand wicket to fall in the decider as India defended their T20 World Cup title.
Sanju Samson - 9/10
321 runs @ 80.25, SR: 199.37, HS: 97*, 3 fifties
A comeback story for the ages. Samson wasn’t a shoo-in for the playing XI at the start of the World Cup. But he was brought back against Zimbabwe and went on to produce three scintillating knocks in must-win games for India to take them to the title. He was also named the player of the tournament.
Ishan Kishan - 9/10
317 runs @ 35.22, SR: 193.29, HS: 77, 3 fifties
After making a remarkable comeback to the international set-up on the back of a brilliant Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Kishan was easily India’s second-best batter in the tournament, if not the best. Despite being moved down to No.3 upon Samson’s return, he didn’t let the change in position affect his game and finished with 317 runs – the third-highest aggregate by an Indian in a single edition of the T20 World Cup – while striking at almost 200.
Suryakumar Yadav - 4/10
242 runs @ 30.25, SR: 136.72, HS: 84*, 1 fifty
India’s captain had a largely disappointing tournament to add to his recent woes with the bat, which culminated in a duck in the final. His best came against the USA, while he also played a crucial knock against Zimbabwe (33 off 13) in a must-win game. He returned scores of 11 and 0 in the semi-final and the final, respectively.
Tilak Varma - 7/10
207 runs @ 29.57, SR: 154.47, HS: 44*
1 wicket @ 11.00, Econ: 5.5, BBI: 1-11
With the top and middle order packed, Tilak was often tasked with batting at the death, which isn’t his usual position in T20s. He still thrived. A 16-ball 44 against Zimbabwe stood out, while a 15-ball 27 against the West Indies in a virtual quarter-final and a seven-ball 21 against England in the semis were equally important.
Rinku Singh - 5/10
24 runs @ 8.00, SR: 82.75, HS: 11*
Rinku had to deal with a huge personal loss midway through the World Cup and was also dropped from the playing XI. Despite that, he was ever-present on the field, covering every inch of the ground and ensuring he contributed to the team’s cause.
Also Read: The lonely world of Rinku Singh
Hardik Pandya - 6.5/10
217 runs @ 27.12, SR: 160.74, HS: 52, 1 fifty
9 wickets @ 32.33, Econ: 8.81, BBI: 2-16
Pandya had moments of brilliance, but perhaps wasn’t quite at his usual high level. The highlight of his campaign was a spell of 2-38 against England in a game where nearly 500 runs were scored. He took the all-important wickets of Phil Salt and Sam Curran in the game, while with the bat, fifties against Zimbabwe and Namibia stood out.
Shivam Dube - 7/10
235 runs @ 39.16, SR: 169.06, HS: 66, 1 fifty
5 wickets @ 29.20, Econ: 14.12, BBI: 2-35
Dube’s contributions to the team often go unnoticed, and this tournament was no different. He provided exhilarating finishes with the bat, sometimes making up in case Pandya did not come off. His bowling figures were adversely affected by two expensive last overs against Zimbabwe and England, where he was hit for 20 and 22 runs, respectively, after the matches were sealed.
Axar Patel - 7/10
16 runs @ 5.33, SR: 106.66, HS: 14
11 wickets @ 18.63, Econ: 8.2, BBI: 3-27
Axar brought out his best in the final at his home turf in Ahmedabad. He started by dismissing the dangerous and in-form Finn Allen before sending back Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell to close the game. He wasn’t needed with the bat much.
Arshdeep Singh - 7/10
9 wickets @ 28.22, Econ: 8.46, BBI: 3-24
Bowling the most difficult overs, though Arshdeep wasn’t among the wickets as much as he’d have liked to be, he stuck to his plans. Except for expensive outings against West Indies and South Africa in high-scoring fixtures, there was little he did wrong through the tournament.
Jasprit Bumrah - 9.5/10
14 wickets @ 12.42, Econ: 6.21, BBI: 4-15
The star of the tournament, yet again. Bumrah once again blew away oppositions for fun, proving yet again why he was the best in the business. He conceded just 33 runs in the semi-final against England, where 499 runs were scored, while registering his best-ever T20I figures of 4-15 in the final.
Also Read: Wisden's Men's T20 World Cup 2026 team of the tournament
Varun Chakravarthy - 6/10
14 wickets @ 20.50, Econ: 9.25, BBI: 3-7
A lot was riding on Varun's shoulders, but while he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker, teams seemed to have found a way around him. He was sent for many against the relatively tougher opponents, while picking up three wickets each against the Netherlands and Namibia.
Washington Sundar - 1/10
11 runs @ 11.00, SR: 100, HS: 11
Washington was called on in place of Axar Patel against the Netherlands and South Africa but couldn’t contribute heavily. He was promoted to No.5 in a crucial game against the Proteas, but could score just a run-a-ball 11.
Kuldeep Yadav - 5/10
1 wicket @ 14.00, Econ: 4.66, BBI: 1-14
Kuldeep only played one game, against Pakistan in Colombo. He did well, picking up one wicket in three overs while conceding just 14.
Mohammed Siraj - 5/10
3 wickets @ 9.66, Econ: 7.25, BBI: 3-29
Called into the squad as a last-minute replacement for Harshit Rana, Siraj only played the opening match of the tournament against the USA, with Bumrah sitting out as well. And being the seniormost bowler of the attack, produced figures of 3-29 and took home the player of the match award.
Also read: Marks out of 10: Player ratings for New Zealand after their T20 World Cup final defeat
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