India’s recent awards ceremony celebrating its cricketing heroes turned into a viral moment after Varun Chakravarthy made a light-hearted yet striking comment involving Sanju Samson.Walking the red carpet alongside Samson, Chakravarthy said: ‘There is meme going on social media, if there is a Mallu in the World Cup team, we never lose the World Cup’.The remark quickly went viral on social media, especially in the backdrop of India’s dominant triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where Samson played a pivotal role.
Sanju Samson’s dream World Cup campaign
Samson was one of the standout performers of the tournament and was eventually named Player of the Tournament for his exceptional contributions. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 321 runs in just five innings, averaging over 80 with a staggering strike rate close to 200, making him one of the most destructive batters in the competition.His performances in crucial matches defined India’s title-winning run:97 not out vs West Indies (Super 8) – a match-winning knock under pressure89 vs England (Semi-final) – a dominant innings in a knockout clash89 vs New Zealand (Final) – a blazing start that set up India’s title winIn fact, Samson scored 275 runs in the knockout stages alone, showcasing his ability to deliver when it mattered the most. Samson’s journey in the tournament was nothing short of remarkable. He wasn’t even a guaranteed starter at the beginning but made the most of his opportunities, eventually becoming India’s match-winner in high-pressure games.
Varun Chakravarthy’s World Cup campaign
Varun Chakravarthy had a mixed yet impactful campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, playing a key role in India’s title-winning run. The mystery spinner emerged as one of the leading wicket-takers of the tournament, finishing with 14 wickets, showcasing his ability to break crucial partnerships in the middle overs. His standout performance came against the Netherlands, where he delivered a brilliant spell to seal a win for India. However, his campaign also saw moments of inconsistency, including an expensive outing in the semi-final against England. Despite that, Chakravarthy’s wicket-taking ability and control in key phases made him an important contributor to India’s historic third T20 World Cup triumph.After a successful ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, Sanju Samson is set to begin a new chapter with Chennai Super Kings following his trade, while Varun Chakravarthy returns to Kolkata Knight Riders for the Indian Premier League 2026 season, aiming to carry his form into the tournament.
