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Suryakumar Yadav has revealed how Sanju Samson’s selfless attitude helped him during the early phase of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Sanju Samson was initially left out of the playing XI, with Ishan Kishan getting the opening spot after performing well in the previous series against New Zealand.
However, India’s slow start and Abhishek Sharma’s fitness concerns brought Samson back into the team. The wicketkeeper-batter grabbed the opportunity and emerged as India’s biggest hero in their historic title-winning campaign earlier this year. Amid this, Suryakumar Yadav reveals why he got angry at Kuldeep Yadav during Pakistan clash.
Suryakumar Yadav reveals Sanju Samson’s selfless gesture during 2026 T20 World Cup
Sanju Samson scored 321 runs in five innings at an outstanding average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.38. His brilliant performances in the knockout stages played a major role in India defending the ICC T20 World Cup, and he was later named Player of the Tournament.
Recently, Suryakumar Yadav revealed that he had spoken to Samson on the team bus when he was not included in the Playing XI. However, Samson has given complete support to the former skipper and promised to stay ready whenever the team was needed.
Suryakumar told Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel: “We were on the bus, and I told him that it was going to be difficult with how it was going. He told me just one thing: do whatever you feel is right to make this team win the World Cup. He said he is there whenever I need him, as he will prepare as if he were going to play. I gained a lot of confidence hearing that. Aise bhi log hote hain life mein (There are people like this too).”
Suryakumar Yadav reveals why dropping Sanju Samson was his toughest call
The former Indian captain also revealed that dropping Samson was one of the toughest decisions he had to make because he had always believed in the star wicketkeeper-batter. Amid this, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant among stars spotted during BCCI Fitness Tests.
Even during Samson’s poor run on the Sri Lanka tour back in 2024, Suryakumar had backed him and promised him a long run in the team, showing how strongly he trusted his ability.
Samson further explained, “That was my toughest call because I knew that he was a good person. We went to Sri Lanka in 2024, and he did not score a lot of runs there. He asked me what he should do. We were playing the Duleep Trophy in Anantapur. I told him I had confidence in him and that the coach had shown it as well. I assured him that he would play the next seven matches, and even if he scored seven ducks, he would still play the eighth.”
Will Sanju Samson return for Afghanistan series?
Notably, Samson was also dropped for the recent Zimbabwe tour, where the new captain Shreyas Iyer and the team management gave the chance to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Now, it will be interesting to see whether Samson will get a chance in the upcoming Afghanistan T20I series.
The BCCI has not announced the squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, starting on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
