Suryakumar Yadav’s future in focus as India captain eyes T20 final milestone Suryakumar Yadav’s eyes say it all. He wants the trophy today. PTI Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had decided to retire from T20 cricket after the World Cup victory at Bridgetown two years ago. This edition could mean the end of the road for Suryakumar Yadav. There has been no official discussion, but it is unlikely that Surya, 35, will be allowed to continue when the next T20 World Cup takes place in 2028, in Australia and New Zealand. Even if Surya doesn’t make an announcement after Sunday’s final, he is expected to make an announcement before India’s next series. Several names who could succeed Surya have been doing the rounds. Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer are in the running, but their fitness concerns have made the selectors go slow on any decision. Perhaps IPL 2026 could throw some clues on Surya’s successor. Vice-captain Axar Patel will be the dark horse unless Shubman Gill makes a comeback. Sunil Gavaskar has already lauded Axar’s all-round performance, saying he has the batting, bowling, and cricketing intelligence to be an ideal successor for Ravindra Jadeja. Surya didn’t wish to throw any clue before the biggest day of his leadership career. He stressed staying in the present and “being courageous” in their moment of reckoning. “I think the mantra has been very clear in this tournament. You have to be in the present as much as possible,” he said. “I know it is very difficult. It’s a human tendency. You get excited when you play the league stage and qualify for Super Eight. You’re already thinking about, oh yes, we’ll play a semi-final. We’ll get to play a final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.#suryakumar_yadav #hardik_pandya #virat_kohli #rohit_sharma #shreyas_iyer
T20 World Cup Final: Rohit Sharma Shares Reason Behind Viral Pep Talk to Sanju Samson A clip of a pep talk between India captain Rohit Sharma and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson went viral shortly after Samson’s 97-run innings against the West Indies in Kolkata. The moment captured Sharma reassuring Samson that his opportunity to play for the team would come, just before India’s opening match against the USA, where Samson was left out of the squad. Samson later delivered a standout performance, leading India to the T20 World Cup final, and Sharma explained the motivation behind his approach. Sharma, reflecting on his own career, acknowledged the emotional challenges of waiting for a chance to play. He had missed the 2011 World Cup and faced inconsistent selection before securing his place in the team. He felt a connection to Samson’s situation, having been in a similar position during his career. “I can sometimes feel the pulse of the player,” Sharma said. “When chances haven’t come, it’s important to stay focused and not get frustrated. That’s what I felt with him.” Samson, who was dropped just before the tournament began, had to wait for his opportunity. Sharma emphasized that the World Cup is a long event and that unexpected things can happen. “I wanted to tell him it’s a long tournament and funny things have happened in the past,” Sharma said. “I just wanted to reassure him that his chance would come.” His words proved prescient as Samson delivered a crucial performance in India’s semifinal against England, helping the team reach the final. Samson’s resurgence has been remarkable. After returning to the team for the Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe, he has become India’s key batsman in the tournament.#india #west_indies #sanju_samson #t20_world_cup_final #rohit_sharma
Rohit Sharma reveals emotional reason behind Sanju Samson pep talk: 'I can feel pulse of the player' Sanju Samson has become a standout performer for India in the T20 World Cup 2026, delivering crucial innings in key matches. His unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in a must-win Super 8 game and a composed 89 in the semi-final against England secured India’s place in the final. These performances have earned him recognition as one of India’s heroes in the tournament. Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, shared an emotional insight into his approach with Samson during the tournament. Sharma revealed that he often reassures players, emphasizing the importance of patience and belief in their abilities. During a moment captured by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Sharma encouraged Samson before India’s opening match against the United States, a game in which Samson was not included in the playing XI. The clip showed Sharma comforting Samson, saying, “Don’t be disheartened. It is a long tournament. You’ll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime.” Samson’s inclusion in the team was a topic of discussion. He did not start the tournament in the playing XI after struggling during the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. However, he eventually earned a spot during the group-stage clash against Namibia when Abhishek Sharma was ruled out due to a stomach infection. Once Abhishek recovered, Samson was again left out, highlighting the challenges of maintaining consistency in high-pressure tournaments. Sharma’s pep talk with Samson reflects his leadership style, focusing on mental resilience and trust in players’ potential. The ICC shared the moment on social media, underscoring the camaraderie and support within the team.#t20_world_cup_2026 #international_cricket_council #sanju_samson #rohit_sharma #abhishek_sharma
