3 days ago
Suryakumar Reveals Tough Decision to Drop Samson Before World Cup
Suryakumar Yadav was India’s captain before and during the 2026 World Cup.
Sanju Samson was not scoring many runs before the tournament.
Suryakumar told Samson that he might not play at the beginning.
Samson supported the decision and said the captain should do what was best for India.
Later, Samson returned as an opener in an important match.
He then scored several very high scores.
He helped India win the World Cup and became Player of the Tournament.
Afterward, both players faced uncertainty in India’s T20I team.
Suryakumar Yadav said dropping Sanju Samson was the toughest decision of his captaincy.
Samson had scored 46 runs in five innings against New Zealand before the World Cup.
Samson told Suryakumar to do whatever was necessary to help India win the tournament.
After returning to the opening slot, Samson scored 97 not out, 89 and 89 during India’s run.
Samson was later named Player of the Tournament, while Suryakumar and Samson subsequently left India’s T20I plans.
- Who
- Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson and the India T20I team.
- What
- Suryakumar revealed how he consulted Samson before dropping him from India’s starting XI at the 2026 World Cup.
- Where
- The World Cup was held in India, with the final played in Ahmedabad; Suryakumar described the conversation on Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel.
- When
- Before and during the 2026 World Cup; Samson was later dropped from the T20I side after India’s tour of England in July.
- Why
- Samson had scored only 46 runs in five innings against New Zealand, while Suryakumar was trying to find the team’s best combination.
Key facts
- Tournament
- 2026 World Cup
- Samson’s pre-tournament record
- 46 runs in five innings against New Zealand
- Samson’s World Cup scores
- 97 not out, 89 and 89 after returning to the opening slot
- Final
- India defeated New Zealand in Ahmedabad
- Individual award
- Samson finished as Player of the Tournament
- Suryakumar’s assessment
- He called dropping Samson the toughest decision of his tenure
- Later selection change
- Samson was dropped from India’s T20I side after the England tour in July
Quotes
Suryakumar Yadav
Former India T20I captain who described the selection decision
“I assured him that he would play the next seven matches, and even if he scored seven ducks, he would still play the eighth.”
indianexpress.com
“We were on the bus, and I told him that it was going to be difficult given how it was going.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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