Hardik Pandya promises '10 more ICC titles in 10 years'; Samson thanks 'Sachin sir'; SKY credits 'Rohit bhai'

Indian cricket players poured their hearts out after a sensational 96-run win over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at Ahmedabad on Sunday. Their reactions showed what the title meant as they became the first team to win the T20 World Cup at home and also the first to win it back-to-back.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav reflected on the journey since the 2024 World Cup as they thanked the leadership group for trusting his leadership. "I think it'll take a little bit of time, but definitely very happy. Been a long journey. Jay Shah, Rohit bhai, they all showed faith in me and gave me the opportunity to lead…

More from Firstcricket

"I knew we had match-winners in the team. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, they did something special in the final. Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation bowler. He is a national treasure," SKY said.

Hardik Pandya spoke of the emotions of defending the title at home and his goals for the future. "It's quite emotional. Because winning the World Cup in India, the excitement of the people, it is amazing. The effort we have put in... From yesterday, I knew we are champions. The only self-belief I had was that there was no other result. Losing wasn't a thought. I am thankful for God. When I was bowling the 19th over against England, I was thinking about the 2024 World Cup final. I have 10 more years left in me and I want to win 10 more ICC titles. That's my goal," Hardik said.

Samson thanks Sachin Tendulkar

The Player of the Tournament, Sanju Samson, expressed gratitude for guidance from Sachin Tendulkar. "For the last couple of months, I have been in constant contact with Sachin sir. I reached out to him and had big, big conversations with him. Getting guidance from someone like him, what more can you ask for?

"I am very grateful to everyone who supported me. This itself is very big for me, I want to enjoy it right now and then after a few days I will figure out what more to do," he said.

Jasprit Bumrah, the Player of the Match, detailed his mindset during the final. "Feels extremely special because I've played one final in my home venue, but couldn't win that one, but today I won. I knew wicket was a flat one, so I had to use all my experience. Before this tournament, I was in that zone where I felt I was trying too hard because I was bowling well, but I felt I was trying too hard. This tournament, I just tried to let the game come to me, and that worked really well," Bumrah said.

"My individual assessment has always been my strength and getting Player of the Match at my home ground in a World Cup final, it doesn't get better than that. Because of the experience, because I've played on belters over here, and I have seen the other teams too, I learned that trying to bowl too fast can make shot-making easier. So just played smart, and tried to think of what the batsmen were trying to do."

"Whenever we discuss, they always come up with options. And when communication is needed, we do that. We never panicked. Kept our heads above the water. Teams that do that win the tournament, and I am very happy we did it," Bumrah added.

Abhishek thanks coach and captain for backing him

Abhishek Sharma shared how team support helped him deliver when it mattered most. "The one thing was very clear, I wanted to share before as well, but today is the best day. The captain and coach had faith in me. Even I was doubting myself. I had never experienced this before; it was a tough tournament. I was just doing my process, trying to take it one game after another, but it wasn't easy. But I love this team because of the way they backed me," he said.

"It wasn't easy for me because going through the whole year I was doing well for the team, but in the big tournament I wasn't able to. But the faith the team and management showed in me. I got emotional in the middle of the tournament and wanted to talk to the coach and captain and they said you'll win us the big games. The crowd has supported us a lot, even through tough times."

Arshdeep Singh said, "I just ran off to apologise to Mitchell. The ball reverse-swung when I threw it and it hit him. Right now it feels great, but the emotions will sink in over the next 2-4 days. This is a very good team with a lot of match-winners, and the result is a cherry on the cake. As a bowler, our role is to restrict them to under 250 if we score 250 and when bowling first, it's just to restrict them to as little as possible."

Detailing his role, Shivam Dube said, "It was always to hit some big sixes. That was my role from the first day of the tournament. I always back myself and think that whenever I get an opportunity, I'll hit some sixes. I have developed a lot in my bowling, but it didn't come off in this tournament. Hopefully will do better in the future."