Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain, mocked wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson when the squad landed in Thiruvananthapuram for the fifth and final T20I of the home series against New Zealand. The Men in Blue have already sealed the series with a 3-1 victory.
Later as Samson headed to the airport gate, Suryakumar mischievously warned everyone not to mess with him and address him ‘chetta’ (older brother in Malayalam) and plan a safe exit when Samson reaches his hometown. Suryakumar was so kind to applaud Samson’s efforts with a subtly smile in return. The fifth T20I, on the other hand, would be India’s final contest in the run-up to a crucial T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
“Make way, make way, please. Don’t disturb Chetta,” said Suryakumar.
CHETTAN LANDing ft. Captain SKY! 🤩🥳#WhistlePodu
📸: Sanju Samson FP pic.twitter.com/TtenKLSDj1
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 29, 2026Sanju Samson Under Pressure Ahead of Final T20I
Selected ahead of Shubman Gill for the first-choice opener’s role against New Zealand in the ongoing T20I series, Samson has been hefted into the T20 World Cup squad. Yet the talented keeper-batsman has failed to capitalise on his chances until now. Samson has managed only 40 runs in four games against the Kiwis, having failed to make any significant contribution at the top of the order.
Given his current form, now his numbers are called into question as to whether team management will keep Sanju Samson. His troubles aren’t confined to the current series either: he had a horrible 2025 season, which yielded 222 runs from 15 games at an average of 20. 18.
The fifth and final T20I of the series will be played at Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield International Stadium on Saturday, January 31. After the series, India’s T20 World Cup journey will start on February 7 against United States of America at Wankhede Stadium. They will also face Namibia in Delhi on Feb 12, Pakistan in Colombo on Feb 15 and the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on Feb 18.
