Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has shared his enthusiastic anticipation ahead of the fifth and final T20 International between India and New Zealand, scheduled for Saturday at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The seasoned politician extended his heartfelt best wishes to Team India and local favourite Sanju Samson, highlighting the significance of the match for both the series and upcoming global tournaments.
Tharoor's Special Connection to Thiruvananthapuram Cricket
Speaking to ANI, Tharoor revealed his eagerness to watch Sanju Samson perform in front of his home supporters, describing the occasion as a particularly special moment for cricket fans in the city. He emphasized that the decider promises to deliver a strong finish to what has been an engaging and competitive series between the two cricketing nations.
"A Chance to Turn the Tables"
"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," Tharoor told ANI. "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."
Tharoor also underscored the monumental scale of the occasion, revealing that the venue is expected to be packed to capacity with all tickets reportedly sold out. He stressed the importance of this match not merely as a series finale but also as India's final international outing before the highly anticipated T20 World Cup.
Final Preparations Before 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," he added. "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."
Series Context and Team Dynamics
India have already secured the series with a commanding 3-1 lead but will be keen to sign off on a positive note to maintain momentum. Both sides are expected to field their strongest available playing elevens as preparations intensify for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, making this match a crucial testing ground for strategies and player form.
Sanju Samson's Form and Selection Dilemma
Sanju Samson, however, has endured a challenging run in the series, accumulating only 40 runs across four matches so far. This has sparked discussions about potential changes in the batting lineup. Ishan Kishan missed the fourth T20I due to a minor injury, prompting India to field just six specialist batters with Arshdeep Singh replacing Kishan.
The team management is likely to consider reinstating Kishan into the playing eleven, either as an additional batter or as a replacement for the out-of-form Samson. Kishan showcased scintillating form earlier in the series, smashing 76 runs off just 32 balls during India's successful 209-run chase in the second T20I at Raipur, which was completed in a mere 16.2 overs.
Broader Implications for Indian Cricket
This final T20I serves as more than just a series conclusion; it represents a critical evaluation opportunity for the Indian team management ahead of major international commitments. The performance of key players like Samson and Kishan could influence selection decisions for future tournaments, adding an extra layer of significance to the match in Thiruvananthapuram.
As the cricketing world turns its attention to the Greenfield International Stadium, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how India capitalizes on their series lead and fine-tunes their approach with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.
