Suryakumar Yadav Reveals Chat With Sanju Samson Before Dropping Him During T20 World Cup 2026: 'When He Was...'

The recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026 turned out to be a career-defining tournament for Sanju Samson as he played a major role in India's remarkable title win. Samson's incredible batting effort helped India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the final to lift their second T20 World Cup title. The Men in Blue created history by becoming the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title and winning the tournament on the home soil.

Samson, who was under immense pressure due to his batting form just before the competition, found his form at the right time and went on to win the Player of the Tournament award. During a recent interaction, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav opened up about Samson's impressive turnaround and revealed the conversation they had when the latter was not part of the team.

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"Sanju came with a lot going for him — a keeper who can bat at the top. I remember he came to me once and asked: 'Just tell me what you want from me in this team.' We said: we want the same Sanju Samson we've seen tear attacks apart. And then he told the whole team, we will keep playing what the team wants before what we want. Only then will we achieve something special," Suryakumar was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

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"When he was not playing, I told him, ' This is a difficult phase, but you have to take it in stride. If God has written something for you, you will get it. He was preparing himself — if the opportunity comes, grab it, and the whole world will witness it," he added.

Samson played just one match in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, which took place in the absence of Abhishek Sharma, who was against Namibia. Due to Abhishek's poor form, Samson was roped back in the lineup, and the star wicketkeeper-batter displayed his intent with a 24-run knock in just 15 balls/. He then came all guns blazing in India's last Super 8 match and ended up playing a fiery unbeaten knock og 976 runs in just 50 balls on the back of 12 fours and four sixes.

His effort helped India chase down the 196-run target in 19.2 overs against the West Indies and make it to the semi-final. He continued his outstanding form and smashed 89 runs each in the semifinal and final as India got over the line in both games.