Thiruvananthapuram hosts the rubber match of the T20 series between India and New Zealand on Saturday at Greenfield Stadium—a vital tune-up for the impending World Cup. India, victors of the first three clashes but tripped in the fourth, enters hungry for redemption.
Spotlight falls squarely on Sanju Samson, whose home debut could define his immediate future. Mired in a slump with 40 runs from four innings, he’s grappled with rhythm in the top order, undone last time by Santner’s cunning spin that fetched an edge.
The practice ground on Friday pulsed with energy: journalists, TV personnel, and a sea of fans turned out for their prodigal son. Samson honed his technique against pace, racing against Ishan Kishan’s shadow in the pecking order.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak exuded confidence: ‘A long-time team man with bags of talent—recent scores don’t tell the full story. Cricket rewards patience.’ Series in the bag and hometown backing make his spot secure for now. Samson must harness the crowd’s passion to unleash vintage strokeplay, ensuring his World Cup ticket remains valid.