Is It Going to Be a Thrill to Watch Sanju Samson's Homecoming?
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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 31 (NationPress) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has shared his enthusiasm about witnessing Sanju Samson, Kerala's cricketing star, play in front of his home supporters as the Indian cricket squad prepares for the final showdown of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand at Greenfield Stadium this Saturday.
In an interview with IANS, Tharoor expressed that it will be an extraordinary experience to see Samson perform in his native city. He believes this match is pivotal for Samson, who has been facing challenges in scoring runs throughout the series.
"As for tonight's match, I think it will be incredibly exciting to see Sanju play before his local fans. This is a significant moment not only for him but for all his supporters in Tiruvannamalai," he mentioned to IANS.
Tharoor also expressed his delight over the overwhelming response to the match, noting that all tickets have been sold out. He hopes for a strong comeback from Team India after their recent 50-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20I. The Congress MP confirmed his attendance at the stadium to support India.
"I was thrilled to learn that the entire stadium is sold out, and it is one of the finest cricket venues in India," he remarked.
"I believe it will be a fitting conclusion to the five-match T20 series between India and New Zealand. It promises to be an exhilarating match. Since New Zealand won the last encounter, it's time for us to reclaim our standing. I am eager for a strong finish to the series. I will definitely be watching. Thank you very much," he added.
Sanju Samson has struggled to make a significant impact in the ongoing series, managing only 40 runs across four innings against the Black Caps after returning to the opener position following the exclusion of Shubman Gill from the squad. This match holds substantial importance for him as Team India gears up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, commencing on February 7.
India boasts a commendable record at Greenfield Stadium, winning three out of the four T20I matches played there. The average first-innings score at this venue stands at 155, with India achieving the highest total of 235 runs against Australia in 2023. Suryakumar Yadav's team aims to maintain this momentum and conclude the series on a victorious note.