India’s successful defence of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the 2026 edition sparked widespread celebrations across the country, with several prominent figures from the Malayalam film industry congratulating the team and praising Kerala batter Sanju for his decisive role in the final. Sanju produced a match-winning 89 in the title clash and ended the tournament with 321 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 199.37, earning the Player of the Tournament award as India became the first side to retain the T20 World Cup and the only team to win the title three times.
Veteran actor Mammootty joined the celebrations with a message congratulating the team for what he described as a commanding campaign. “CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD! Congratulations to Team India for a dominant campaign to lift the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy,” he wrote, before extending special praise to the Kerala batter. “Special congratulations dear Sanju Samson for winning the ICC Player of the Tournament after an outstanding World Cup performance.”
Mohanlal also hailed the victory as a historic achievement for Indian cricket. In a detailed post, he wrote: “The tricolour flies supreme! The cup stays home! India writes history as the first team to retain the T20 World Cup, standing alone as three-time champions! A night of dominance that will be etched in gold forever.” He went on to praise the team effort behind the triumph, adding, “Well done, Team India! A relentless journey defined by Gambhir’s tactics, Surya’s leadership, and the genius of Bumrah, Axar, Ishan, Abhishek, Dube, and every player in the squad.”
The Drishyam actor also singled out Sanju for special recognition, describing his performances in the knockout matches as extraordinary. “To my dear Sanju Samson, our Player of the Tournament. A rarest-of-rare hat-trick of match-winning knocks in the Super 8, semi-final and the final. Your consistency and class have been the heartbeat of this campaign,” Mohanlal wrote, adding that the achievement was “a historic moment that makes us all incredibly proud”.
Actor and filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran reflected on Sanju’s journey through the tournament, calling it one of the most remarkable stories of the World Cup. “Team India are world champions. The first to defend the T20 title! Outstanding campaign barring a hiccup against the Proteas,” he wrote. Prithviraj described Sanju’s rise from uncertainty to tournament hero as a sporting fairy tale. “The real fairy tale within the tournament is the script that destiny wrote for Sanju Samson. From being doubtful of even making it to the fifteen, to becoming the Player of the Tournament with a campaign that was only five matches long is truly incredible.”
The Aadujeevitham actor also placed Sanju’s performances in a historical context, referencing iconic moments from Indian cricket’s past. “For an entire generation, the greatest multi-innings clutch performance in the knockout stages of a tournament was the era-defining Desert Storm and the century that followed in the 1998 Sharjah Cup final by Sachin Tendulkar,” he wrote, before adding that Sanju’s performances had now created a comparable modern moment. “Three knockout matches, three match-winning innings and an iconic World Cup campaign. Sanju, you have finally shown the world what you’re truly capable of,” Prithviraj wrote. He concluded his message with a note of encouragement: “You already own a piece of cricketing folklore. Now go on and build a legacy that will last well beyond you and everyone who had the privilege of watching you in this World Cup.”
Several other actors also joined the celebrations. Dulquer Salmaan marked the occasion with a succinct message declaring India “Champions”, while Tovino Thomas congratulated the team on the “clinical win” and praised Sanju’s batting, writing that there was “pure class, timing and elegance on display”. Nivin Pauly echoed the sentiment, writing: “Champions. Sanju Samson, what a run. Absolute class when it mattered the most. Proud of you.”