'Really looking forward': Shashi Tharoor excited for Sanju Samson's homecoming T20I

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has shared his enthusiasm ahead of the fifth and final T20I between India and New Zealand, to be played on Saturday at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, extending his best wishes to Team India and local favourite Sanju Samson.

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said he was eager to watch Samson take the field in front of his home supporters, describing the occasion as a special moment for fans in the city. He added that the decider promised to be a strong finish to what has been an engaging series.



"I am really looking forward to Sanju playing before his home crowd. All of us who are big fans in Thiruvananthapuram, and of Sanju in particular, will have much to look forward to. It has been a good series and last time New Zealand won the fourth match. It is a chance for us to turn the tables or see how well we can stack up against this newly-energised New Zealand side," Shashi Tharoor told ANI.

Tharoor also highlighted the scale of the occasion, revealing that the venue is expected to be packed to capacity. He stressed the importance of the match, not just as a series finale but also as India’s final international outing before the T20 World Cup.

"The whole stadium is going to be full, I'm told all the tickets are sold out. It's a huge occasion. I am wishing Sanju and India all the very best and big success. I'm looking forward to a good contest. It should be a fitting climax to this five-match series. It is also our last match before the T20 World Cup, so we really need to make sure that all our stars fire on all cylinders," he added.

India have already wrapped up the series with a 3-1 lead and will be keen to sign off on a positive note. Both sides are expected to field their strongest available XIs as preparations intensify for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Sanju Samson, however, has endured a difficult run in the series, scoring only 40 runs across four matches so far. Ishan Kishan missed the fourth T20I due to a niggle, prompting India to go in with just six specialist batters, with Arshdeep Singh coming in for Kishan.

The team management is likely to consider bringing Kishan back into the playing XI, either as an additional batter 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, completed in only 16.2 overs.


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