Sanju-Mania Grips Thiruvananthapuram! Shashi Tharoor Excited As 'Whole Stadium Is Going To Be Full'

Sanju Samson is back in Thiruvananthapuram for the fifth T20I between India and New Zealand on Saturday at the Greenfield International Stadium.

MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his excitement on the return of the local favourite, extending his best wishes to the Indian men’s cricket team.

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor shared his enthusiasm for seeing Samson play in front of his home crowd. He wished Sanju and Team India success, hoping for a thrilling conclusion to the 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,” Sashi Tharoor was quoted as saying to ANI.

“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.

What’s At Stake For IND vs NZ 5th T20I?

India, having already secured the series with a 3-1 lead, will aim to finish on a winning note in the final T20I, which serves as their last international match before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Both teams will strive to field their best possible playing 11 ahead of the marquee tournament.

Notably, Sanju Samson has struggled in the series, managing just 40 runs in four matches so far. Ishan Kishan missed the 4th T20I due to a niggle, leading India to play with only six specialist batters, with Arshdeep Singh stepping in. The Indian team management is likely to recall Ishan Kishan, either as the seventh batter or in place of the out-of-form Samson. Kishan scored a remarkable 76 off 32 balls during the second T20I in Raipur, which India won in just 16.2 overs. If Samson is retained over Kishan, it could be his final opportunity to regain form.

(With inputs from Agencies)