Sanju Samson exposes Rohit Sharma's double-face citing T20 World Cup Final 2024

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has opened up about the emotional whirlwind he experienced moments before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa in Barbados.

Samson revealed that he was expected to don the Indian jersey in the 2024 T20 World Cup final but was shockingly excluded just before the toss.

As he reflected on the high-stakes day in Barbados, Sanju Samson revealed the dramatic turn of events that left him out of the playing XI at the very last minute, despite being told to prepare for the biggest game of his career by Rohit Sharma.

Sanju Samson shares heartbreak of last-minute exclusion from T20 World Cup 2024 Final against South Africa

The anticipation was sky-high for Samson, who had been waiting for his chance to shine in the big game after being sidelined for the entire ICC T20 World Cup 2024, as Rishabh Pant was preferred by the Indian cricket team. Unfortunately, India’s decision to stick with the same XI that had carried India through the Super Six stage left Samson sidelined.

Well, Samson’s dream moment slipped away at the very last second, but the real emotional rollercoaster began during the pre-match warm-ups. Samson has now revealed how Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma approached him on the field to break the difficult news.

Instead of focusing on the players who would take to the field for the final, Rohit spent valuable time with him, explaining his decision to Samson, and this gesture won the heart of the Kerala star. Samson revealed how Rohit returned multiple times, concerned about Samson’s feelings and intent on justifying the decision to him, even as the tension of the final loomed.

Rohit Sharma was like, You understood, na?: Sanju Samson reveals how his exclusion was explained

Sanju Samson told journalist Vimal Kumar in an interview: “I had a chance to play the final. I was told to stay ready. I was ready. However, they decided before the toss that we would go with the same team. I was like, no worries. I was in that type of mood. During the warm-up, Rohit took me to the side and started to explain to me why he was making that decision.

He was like, You understood, na? You know his way, very casual? I told him, 'Let us win the match and then talk.' You focus on the match. He came back one minute later and said, 'I know you are cursing me in your mind.' I think you are not happy. I feel like you have something on your mind. Then we had a discussion. I told him, 'As a player, I want to play'.”

Sanju Samson expresses regret over missing the World Cup Final under Rohit Sharma's captaincy

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson admitted that he will always regret not playing under Rohit Sharma’s leadership in a World Cup final, describing it as a personal heartbreak, but was happy that India won the World Cup after 13 years. He said that Rohit Sharma's gesture will stay with him for life.

Samson further noted, “Since childhood, I wanted to come here and do something. Then he was like, 'My pattern is like this' and all that. I said I totally respect that you came and explained me. I said, 'I will have a regret; I could not play a World Cup final with a leader like you.' This will be a regret in my heart that I missed a World Cup final with a leader like Rohit Sharma. That will stay in my life.”

In the end, the Indian wicketkeeper said that they changed their decision in the last minute, but Rohit spent 10 minutes with him despite not being part of the playing XI before the toss was a big thing for him. Samson said that Rohit’s gesture won his heart, and that will stay for a lifetime.