India’s T20 World Cup 2026 win produced several big images, but one of the more interesting stories to emerge after the title run is how Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma came to define India’s most explosive batting idea right at the end. They were not a settled opening pair for the entire campaign. Samson’s tournament took a sharp turn after an uncertain start and time out of the XI, while Abhishek endured an uneven run. Yet by the final, India had found a combination that blew New Zealand away in the powerplay and set up a record title-winning finish.

That is what gives Sanju Samson’s comments at the India Today Conclave its weight. India’s 98-run opening stand in the final was not just a flashy one-off; it felt like the late discovery of a rhythm India had been searching for throughout the tournament’s moving parts. The stand was the highest opening partnership in a Men’s T20 World Cup final, and it came in a match India eventually won by 96 runs after posting 255 for five.

“We are not fire and ice, we are fire and fire. Sometimes he fires, sometimes I do. We have that kind of combination going. We have done this since 2024; we have a Kerala-Punjabi friendship in the middle,” Samson said.

This says something deeper than dressing-room affection. India’s batting in the World Cup often carried risk, but in the closing phase, it also carried conviction. Samson’s own campaign became a comeback story, with the wicketkeeper-batter returning to the XI and then producing the sort of run that turned him into Player of the Tournament. In that light, his description of the partnership sounds like a shorthand for trust.

Also Read: Sanju Samson tells Abhishek Sharma to ‘get married soon’: ‘Boys used to get jealous of him’

“Everything comes pretty naturally to us, so we do not complicate it. He asks me, ‘How is the ball coming?’ I tell him that the ball is coming normally, hit it for a six. It is really simple with him. Abhishek is very brave and collected. I love his character. I really love the partnership with him on and off the field,” Samson added.

Abhishek Sharma completed the picture with his words. “It is not easy to digest. I had a plan; the only goal was to win ICC trophies for the country. Going through this tournament, it was not the start I wanted. But the team was doing well. My dream was to win the tournament. My goal is not to win only one tournament, but many,” he said.

While one batter sopke about ease, instinct, and friendship, the other spoke about unfinished ambition. Put together, they sound like the closing note of the title run that found its opening shape when the stakes were highest.

Rishabh Pant hasn’t had the last couple of years as fruitful as a result of an unsatisfactory show with the bat. He got odd good innings here and there, but he has failed to make any real impressions. India lost 3-1 in Australia, and he was part of that. India lost to New Zealand and South Africa at home, and he was part of that. On the Indian Premier League (IPL) front, things haven’t been great for him either.

He joined Lucknow Super Giants last year for a whopping ₹27 crore, but his performance as captain as well as a player left a lot to be desired. That the franchise finished seventh on the table made things worse for him.

In ODIs, KL Rahul has been India’s preferred wicket-keeper batsman of late. Injuries too have affected Pant. That means Test cricket and the IPL are all Pant has at the moment.

“He’ll be ready to go. He’s training at the moment. We’ve got a camp going on at the moment, so I’ll see him in a couple of days. He’s firing, and as I said, with all champions, they don’t stay down for long. His last game last year in the IPL, we saw how brilliant he can be, so that’s our expectation for him this year,” Langer told ESPNCricinfo.

The league kicks off on March 28; however, LSG will play their first match on April 1 at home against Delhi Capitals, Pant’s former IPL team. Pant recently spent some time with India great Yuvraj Singh in Mumbai to improve his game on all fronts. Hopefully, all his efforts to become relevant again will bear fruit soon.

Image credit: Bangladesh Cricket Board

NEW DELHI: A dramatic moment in the second ODI between Pakistan national cricket team and Bangladesh national cricket team sparked huge debate online after Salman Ali Agha was involved in a controversial run-out. The incident quickly went viral, and even the Rawalpindi Traffic Police joined the conversation with a safety message inspired by the moment.During Pakistan’s innings, Agha was batting on 64 when the dramatic dismissal happened. Mohammad Rizwan played a shot towards bowler Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The ball deflected off Agha, and both batters tried to take a run. However, Miraz reacted quickly, picked up the ball and hit the stumps, catching Agha short of his crease.The decision led to intense reactions on social media, with many fans debating whether the dismissal was fair or against the spirit of the game. The situation became even more dramatic when Agha showed visible frustration while leaving the field. He threw his helmet and gloves and angrily gestured towards the Bangladeshi bowler, creating a moment that quickly spread across the internet.Soon after, Rawalpindi Traffic Police used the viral incident to deliver a message about safety and personal responsibility. Sharing an image from the match, they posted a reminder that awareness and quick thinking are important both in sports and everyday life.“Whether on the road or on the playing field, safety begins with personal responsibility. Trust yourself, stay alert, and make wise decisions to keep yourself and others safe,” it wrote on X.The police also added that depending completely on others can sometimes be risky. They stressed that making careful decisions, such as following traffic rules and staying aware of surroundings, helps protect everyone.

Gautam Gambhir, SuryaKumar Yadav offer prayers at Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

Members of the India national cricket team continued their celebrations of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph by visiting the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai on Saturday, even as their previous temple visit had triggered a debate following remarks by former cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad.Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav along side ICC Chairman Jay shah had earlier visited the temple with the trophy in Ahmedabad after the victory and, offering prayers despite the controversy surrounding the earlier visit.Kirti Azad questions temple visitThe debate began after Kirti Azad criticised the team’s decision to take the trophy to a temple, arguing that the World Cup victory belonged to all Indians regardless of religion.“140 crore people were excited when Team India, which includes people from all religions, won. A sportsperson or sports does not belong to any religion or caste but only to the sport,” Azad said. “Why not a mosque? Why not a church? Why not a gurudwara? The trophy belongs to 1.4 billion Indians of every faith, not one religion’s victory lap,” he added. Harbhajan Singh criticises Azad’s remarksFormer India spinner Harbhajan Singh strongly criticised Azad’s comments, accusing him of unnecessarily politicising the issue.“It’s absurd that someone is politicising the players taking the trophy to a temple. Kirti himself is a former cricketer, so I didn’t expect him to say such a thing. Perhaps he’s prioritising politics more and has forgotten he’s a sportsman,” Harbhajan said. “I was expecting more because when such a big task is undertaken, the reward should be even greater. But congratulations to the team for showing everyone how powerful India is,” he added.Gambhir also defends team’s celebrationGautam Gambhir also defended the team’s actions, saying the controversy was unnecessary and risked overshadowing the players’ achievements.“It is not even worth answering this question. It’s a huge moment for the entire country and we should celebrate the World Cup winners,” Gambhir said in a conversation with ANI.“If you want to dilute the achievements of those 15 players and their efforts, then tomorrow anyone can give any statement and we start taking it seriously. That isn’t fair to the boys.”“The boys have gone through so much pressure. If you give such statements today, you are degrading your own players and your own team.”Players brush aside controversyMeanwhile, India batter Ishan Kishan dismissed questions about the controversy, urging the media to focus on the team’s historic achievement instead.“Winning the World Cup is such a great thing. You people should ask good questions. What can I say about what Kirti Azad said? Please ask good questions so that it’s enjoyable,” Kishan said.