Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match after India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the first T20I in Christchurch. He scored 67 runs and helped set up the chase. After the game, he said the win belonged to the whole team. He was happy to contribute, but he stressed that everyone played a part. He also said it was a good way to start the five-match series.
Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave India a fast start. The two openers added 93 runs in just 35 balls. Samson said they understand each other well at the top. He explained that their approach is based more on instinct than on long planning. They talk in the middle, but mostly they just watch the ball and hit hard. He said that method has worked well for them. He also said he enjoys opening with Abhishek.
Samson kept wickets in the first innings, which helped him read the pitch. He noticed that the ball was holding up a little early in the match. But later, with heavy dew, the ball came on more smoothly. He said he enjoyed batting in those better conditions. He added that his reading while keeping did not change his approach when he batted.
After Samson was out, Naman Dhir and captain Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings. Dhir finished unbeaten on 42 off just 15 balls. He hit five fours and two sixes. His quick finish helped India get over the line. The win gave India a 1-0 lead in the series.
T20I POTM Awards by Indian Wicketkeeper-Batters
1. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson leads this group with six T20I Player of the Match awards. One of his latest came against New Zealand in October 2026. He scored 67 off 33 balls in the first T20I at Hagley Oval. That knock helped India chase down 226. Samson also won a Player of the Match award in the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final against England. He made 89 in that game. His form across the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award. He scored 321 runs in five matches, the most by an Indian batter in that World Cup.
2. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan has three Player of the Match awards in T20Is. In July 2026, he won one against Zimbabwe. He smashed 81 off 44 balls in the second T20I. India posted 219 for 5 and won by 90 runs. It was his fourth Player of the Match award in 2026 across 22 T20Is. Kishan also won the Player of the Match award at the 2026 T20 World Cup. He got them for his performances against Namibia and Pakistan.
3. Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant has one T20I Player of the Match award. It came against the West Indies in February 2022. Pant scored 52 off 28 balls in the second T20I at Eden Gardens. India won that match by eight runs and sealed the series.
4. KL Rahul
KL Rahul also has one T20I Player of the Match award. It came against Ireland in June 2018. Rahul made 70 off 36 balls in the second T20I in Dublin. India won by a huge margin of 143 runs. Rahul has won other T20I Player of the Match awards too, such as against South Africa in 2022. But the 2018 award is a clear and well-documented example.
5. Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik holds a special place on this list. He won the T20I Player of the Match award against South Africa in December 2006. That made him the first Indian cricketer to win a Player of the Match award in a T20 International. He achieved it on his T20I debut. Karthik scored an unbeaten 31 and helped India win their first-ever T20I match.
FAQs
Q. How many T20I Player of the Match awards has Sanju Samson won?
A. Sanju Samson has won six T20I Player of the Match awards.
Q. How many runs did Samson score against New Zealand?
A. Samson scored 67 runs off 33 balls in the first T20I.
Q. How many T20I Player of the Match awards has Rishabh Pant won?
A. Pant has one T20I Player of the Match award, earned against the West Indies in 2022.
Q. When did Dinesh Karthik win his first T20I Player of the Match award?
A. Karthik won the award on his T20I debut against South Africa in December 2006.
Q. How many runs did Ishan Kishan score against Zimbabwe in 2026?
A. Kishan scored 81 runs off 44 balls in the second T20I against Zimbabwe.
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