Why was Jasprit Bumrah not awarded POTM despite match-winning spell in semi-final 2 of T20 World Cup 2026?

Jasprit Bumrah gave away just 33 runs in the semi-final of ICC T20 World Cup 2026 against England.

Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson were the two star players for India in their semi-final win over England at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. India won a high-scoring affair by just seven runs to make their way to the T20 World Cup 2026 final. They will now take on the New Zealand on Sunday, March 8, for the much-coveted title at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Samson’s 89 was crucial in helping India post a total of 253/7. He added two key partnerships, first a 97-run stand with Ishan Kishan (39 off 18) and then a 43-run stand with Shivam Dube (43 off 25 balls). Both these partnerships played a key role in helping India post a big total.

Once Samson played his part with the bat, it was Jasprit Bumrah who took the onus of doing the job with the ball for India. He went for 33 runs off his four overs and took the key wicket of England skipper Harry Brook in the very first over of his spell.

Brook’s wicket, which fell inside the power play, was a big blow for England early on in his innings. His most crucial over was the 18th of England’s innings, where he gave away just six runs and piled up the pressure on opposition in the final two overs.

Why was Sanju Samson given POTM over Jasprit Bumrah in semi-final 2 of T20 World Cup 2026?

The performance of Samson and Bumrah dictated the result of the contest and heavily shifted the balance in India’s favour. For the right-hander, it was his second successive fifty in this World Cup and was awarded the Player of the Match.

Although he was chosen as the Player of the Match, Samson, during the post-match presentation, said that the award should have ideally been given to Bumrah.

The panel chose Samson as the Player of the Match for playing an impactful knock that allowed to post a total of 253/7 in the semi-final. While Bumrah was not chosen for the award, his 18th over, where he gave away just six runs, played a crucial role in the ultimate result of the match, which went in favour of India.

“Very happy how the team turned up today and all credit goes to Jasprit Bumrah, the world class bowler, once in a generation bowler. I think that’s what he delivered today. This (award) should go to him actually. If we didn’t bowl that way in the death overs, I think I would not be standing here. All credit goes to the bowlers, how they backed themselves in the tough conditions,” said Samson in the post-match presentation.

Finally, Shivam Dube defended 30 off the final over as India made it to their second consecutive T20 World Cup final. He gave away 22 runs as England finally fell short by seven runs as they ended on 246/7 from their 20 overs.

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