Suryakumar Yadav Highlights Sanju Samson's Impact Ahead of T20 World Cup Final
Suryakumar Yadav Praises Sanju Samson's Role
In Ahmedabad, India, on March 7, the captain of the Indian cricket team, Suryakumar Yadav, expressed his admiration for Sanju Samson's inclusion in the playing XI, calling it a pivotal decision that significantly influenced the team's performance.
During a pre-match press conference for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand, Suryakumar emphasized the vital role Samson has played.
He stated, "Bringing Sanju into the team was essential. We noticed the positive impact of our top three combinations in the previous bilateral series, featuring Abhishek, Sanju, and Ishan. His addition transformed the game's dynamics completely."
Samson has showcased remarkable form throughout the T20 World Cup, accumulating 232 runs in four matches, boasting an impressive average of 77.33 and a striking strike rate of 201.73.
The right-handed batsman earned back-to-back Player of the Match accolades in India's last two outings, including the semifinal and the final Super 8s match.
He scored an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls in a crucial Super 8s victory against the West Indies, followed by a blistering 89 runs from just 42 balls in the knockout semifinal, once again spearheading India's efforts.
Suryakumar further acknowledged Samson's dedication and work ethic during his time out of the playing XI, stating, "His commitment was commendable. When a player is not in the lineup, their contributions off the field are equally important. Sanju was doing everything possible to prepare for his opportunity, and his recent performances reflect that effort."
When asked about the target India would set after scoring over 250 runs in the second semifinal, Suryakumar replied, "We aim to bat well. If we can reach 200, 225, or even 250 runs, that would be beneficial for our team. However, we don’t enter the match with a fixed target. We must adapt our strategy based on the pitch conditions. We will play according to what the wicket demands and defend whatever total we achieve."
Team India is determined to defend its title on home soil, aspiring to become the first team to win a T20 World Cup in front of its home crowd.
Squads:
New Zealand Squad: Tim Seifert(wicketkeeper), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(captain), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.
India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav.