The International Cricket Council has announced the shortlist for the Player of the Tournament award in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with India’s Sanju Samson the only Indian player in contention.
Eight players have been nominated for the honour following standout performances during the tournament. New Zealand and South Africa each have two players on the shortlist.
Sanju Samson has emerged as one of India’s most consistent performers in the tournament. In four matches, the wicketkeeper-batter has scored 232 runs at an average of 77.33 and a strike rate of 201.73.
Samson delivered key performances in India’s knockout stages. He scored an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls in the Super 8 stage against West Indies and followed it up with 89 from 42 balls in the semi-final. Both innings earned him Player of the Match awards.
England all-rounder Will Jacks has also been shortlisted after contributing with both bat and ball. He scored 226 runs at a strike rate of 176.56 and took nine wickets across eight matches, including several match-winning performances during the Super 8 stage.
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan produced one of the tournament’s most prolific batting campaigns, scoring 383 runs in six innings at an average of 76.60. His tally is the highest in a single edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup, and he became the first player to score two centuries in one tournament.
South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi is among the nominees after taking 12 wickets in seven matches with an economy rate of 7.19. He began the tournament with a four-wicket haul against Canada and delivered another key spell against Afghanistan.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram also made the shortlist after scoring 286 runs in eight matches, including three half-centuries. He played decisive innings in run chases against New Zealand and West Indies.
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 128 runs and taking 11 wickets in eight matches. His performance against Sri Lanka, where he scored 32 runs and took four wickets, proved particularly influential.
USA pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk impressed despite his team exiting in the group stage. He claimed 13 wickets in four matches, including four-wicket hauls against India and Pakistan.
New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert completes the shortlist. He scored 274 runs in eight matches, including three half-centuries, and played a key role in New Zealand’s run to the final with a crucial 58 in the semi-final.
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