India’s Sanju Samson walks (PTI Photo) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shared his excitement ahead of the fifth and final T20I between India and New Zealand to be played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday and wished Team India and local favorite Sanju Samson all the best. Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said he was looking forward to seeing Samson take the field in front of his home fans and described the occasion as a special moment for the fans in the city. He added that the decider promised a strong finish to this gripping series.
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“I’m really looking forward to Sanju playing in front of his home crowd. All of us who are big fans in Thiruvananthapuram and Sanju in particular have a lot to look forward to. It’s been a good series and last time New Zealand won the fourth match. It’s a chance for us to turn the tables or see how well we can go against this newly energized New Zealand side,” said Shashi Tharo. Tharoor also highlighted the scale of the occasion and revealed that the venue is expected to be packed to capacity. He emphasized the importance of the match not only as a series finale but also as India’s last international appearance before the T20 World Cup. “The whole stadium will be full, I’m told all the tickets are sold out. It’s a huge opportunity. I wish Sanju and India all the best and the best of luck. I’m looking forward to a good game. It should be a fitting climax to this five-match series. It’s also our last game before the T20 World Cup, so we really have to make sure all our stars are firing.” India have already ended the series with a 3-1 lead and will be looking to start on a positive note. Both sides are expected to field their strongest available XIs as preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 intensify. However, Sanju Samson has endured a difficult run in the series, scoring just 40 runs in the four matches so far. Ishan Kishan missed the fourth T20I due to a concussion, prompting India to go in with just six special batsmen, with Arshdeep Singh coming in for Kishan. The team management is likely to consider bringing Kishan back into the playing eleven, either as another batsman or as a replacement for the out-of-form Samson. Kishan was in scintillating touch earlier in the series, smashing 76 off just 32 balls during India’s successful 209-run chase in the second T20I at Raipur, which he completed in just 16.2 overs.
