IND Vs ENG, T20 WC Semifinal: Sanju Samson's POTM Gesture For Jasprit Bumrah Wins Fans' Hearts

Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has hailed his teammate and lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah following the Men in Blue's T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal win over England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 5.

The defending champions sealed their place in the final against New Zealand with a thrilling seven-run win over England. After posting a solid total of 253/7, thanks to Sanju Samson's 89-run knock and vital contributions from Shivam Dube (43), Ishan Kishan (34), Hardik Pandya (27), and Tilak Varma (21), Team India managed to restrict England to 246/7 in 20 overs, despite Jacob Bethell's century.

Bethell's 105-run knock off just 48 balls kept England in the hunt and nearly turned the game in their favour, but India's bowlers held their nerve in the crucial death overs. Hardik Pandya (2/38) picked up two wickets. At the same time, Jasprit Bumrah (1/33), Axar Patel (1/35), and Varun Chakravarthy (1/64) hipped in with a wicket each to help India seal a thrilling seven-run victory over England.

Also Read: IND vs ENG, T20 WC Semifinal: Sanju Samson's 89-Run Masterclass Earns Fans' Roaring Praise

Samson's Praise for Bumrah

Sanju Samson was the star performer for Team India in the semifinal against England, as his scintillating knock of 89 off 42 balls helped the hosts propel to a commanding total on the board. His batting brilliance adjudged him Player of the Match award for the second consecutive time in the tournament, having earlier won for his unbeaten 97-run knock in India's final Super 8 fixture against the West Indies.

However, the Kerala cricketer showed his humility after the match as he reserved special praise for India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, stating that the Player of the Match award should actually have gone to the star pacer, whom he described as a“once-in-a-generational bowler” for the impact he brings to the team in crucial moments.

“All credit goes to Jasprit Bumrah, I think the world-class bowler, a once-in-a-generation bowler. I think that's what he delivered today,” Samson said at the post-match presentation.

“This [award] should go to him, actually. So, if he didn't bowl that way in the death overs, I would not be standing here,” he added.

England needed 45 off 18 balls set batters at the crease chase was on came Jasprit Bumrah! Indeed, we are lucky to witness a once-in-a-generation cricketer! ICC Men's #T20WorldCup | FINAL | #INDvNZ | SUN, 8th MAR, 5:30 PM twitter/fzUXZvEIa4

- Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 5, 2026

Sanju Samson's praise for Jasprit Bumrah was a reference to the lead pacer's two game-changing spells, including a crucial 18th over where he conceded just six runs to halt England's momentum and push the required run rate beyond reach, which eventually sealed India's victory in the semifinal.

Fans Laud Samson's Humility

Sanju Samson's praise for Jasprit Bumrah after winning the Player of the Match award following India's semifinal victory over England quickly went viral on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans lauding the wicketkeeper-batter's humility and team-first attitude.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts hailed Samson's humility and sportsmanship, lauding him for giving credit to Jasprit Bumrah despite winning the Player of the Match award, recognizing the effort of India's lead pacer in the Men in Blue's win over England in the thrilling semifinal clash.

Others highlighted the team spirit within the Indian camp, with calling Bumrah a 'generational bowler' while applauding Samson for acknowledging the pacer's match-defining contribution despite his own match-winning knock.

Sanju Samson's words after the match show the spirit of team sport. Even after winning Player of the Match, he credited Jasprit Bumrah for his crucial spell. Great teams are built on such humility and mutual respect, where individual success is always tied to the team's effort.

- Shruti Silva Panda (@silva_shruti) March 5, 2026

Ye hi difference hota hai real cricketer aur Instagram cricketer me. Samson ne award liya par respect Bumrah ko de diya. Waise bhi jab Bumrah bowling karta hai to batsman ka confidence aur fan ka blood pressure dono ek saath gir jaate hain.

- Kshitij (@Kshitij_Finance) March 5, 2026

Giving credit to Jasprit Bumrah shows real respect. A truly generational bowler and a huge reason for the team's success. Moments like this show great team spirit.

- follower (@Ndished) March 5, 2026

samson winning POTM then immediately saying it should've gone to bumrah is the kind of humility that makes you root for someone. recognizing the bowler who made your batting possible is rare sportsmanship

- Lucas (@TheLucasToday) March 5, 2026

True captain material mindset. Scored the winning runs but still gave all credit to Bumrah. Respect button broken

- विभीषण (@vibhishanLanka_) March 5, 2026

True team man! Sanju knows the real hero was Bumrah's magic upfront Respect to both legends #INDvENG #T20WorldCup

- Sassy Shrads (@sassyshrads) March 5, 2026

The most Sanju Samson thing ever. ❤️ Scoring a blistering 89 in a World Cup Semi-Final and then giving all the credit to the GOAT, Jasprit Bumrah leader, world-class batter, and a true team man.

- GAURAV (@crazyGaurav_) March 5, 2026

Great humility! What an innings by him

- SilenceAtSlip (@silenceatslip) March 5, 2026

Sanju showing humility, Bumrah showing greatness. That's team India. ❤️

- NoContextNiru (@NirupamSaraswat) March 5, 2026

Respect to Sanju Samson for acknowledging Jasprit Bumrah. Great players always recognize greatness. This is what true team spirit looks like.

- Prashant Kumar (@prashantk0015) March 5, 2026

Wow that's a sign for a great team. Hats off Sanju for making this statement.

- Krish (@Krish_Analyst) March 5, 2026

A beautiful moment of humility from Sanju samson who chose to shine the spotlight on jasprit bumrah instead of celebrating himself

- Chalz (@itischalz) March 5, 2026

Sanju Samson knows greatness when he sees it. He believes his POTM award belonged to Jasprit Bumrah, calling him a "once in a generational bowler." Real recognize real. #Cricket #SanjuSamson #JaspritBumrah #T20WorldCup

- Nicklesh Pandey (@Nicklesh) March 5, 2026

greatest bowler of this generation finally someone said it out loud!! sanju knows ball.

- SKH (@Skh9864) March 5, 2026

With two brilliant back-to-back performances, Sanju Samson has seemingly retained his place in India's playing XI in a blockbuster T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8.

In the T20 World Cup 2026, Sanju Samson is now the third-leading run-getter for Team India with 232 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 77.33 and an astonishing strike rate of 201.73 in four matches. Samson's strike rate is the second-highest with a minimum of 100 runs in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup.

Also Read: IND vs ENG, T20 WC Semifinal: Axar Patel's Stunning Catch to Dismiss Will Jacks Goes Viral (WATCH)

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