Suryakumar Yadav reveals tough conversation with Sanju Samson during T20 World Cup
Sanju Samson (Source: X/@BCCI)
Published - 29 Aug 2026, 05:25 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed his conversation with Sanju Samson after he dropped him from the playing XI during the T20 World Cup 2026. Samson didn’t feature in India’s opening game of the tournament against the USA and only played the second game against Namibia due to Abhishek Sharma’s unavailability.
After Abhishek recovered, he was again benched for the last two group games and the first Super Eight fixture against South Africa. Recently, Suryakumar Yadav revealed his difficult conversation with Samson, calling it his toughest call. He also gave a glimpse into Samson’s selfless nature, who was understanding of the team’s requirements.
“It was my toughest call. He didn’t have a great tour of Sri Lanka in 2024. He asked me what he should do next. I told him, don’t worry, you’re playing the next seven matches; even if you score seven zeroes, you will play the eighth match. He scored centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa. Then, just ahead of the World Cup against New Zealand, he again had low scores,” Suryakumar Yadav said on Baith and Bol with Aakash Chopra.
Suryakumar also recalled that Samson’s downfall coincided with Ishan Kishan’s rise and how Samson reacted to the decision.
“At the same time, Ishan was in rich form in domestic cricket and batted exceptionally at number three for us. We were sitting in the bus, and I told him, ‘Chetta, it will be difficult.' He said, ‘It’s okay; whichever decision helps us win the World Cup, you take that call, and if you need me anytime, then I’m here only’. He then started the tournament midway and won the Player of the Tournament and made us win the World Cup. I had massive respect for him, but after that performance it has got several notches higher,” he added.
Samson's remarkable comeback in World Cup
Samson made a phenomenal comeback in the tournament; he returned to play against Zimbabwe and scored 24 off 15 balls. However, he saved his best for the last three must-win matches, scoring 97* (50) against West Indies, followed by a knock of 89 (42) against England in the semi-final and another 89 (46) in the final against New Zealand.
He was even adjudged Player of the Tournament in India’s victorious campaign, scoring 321 runs from just five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37.