Why did Rohit Sharma think Sanju Samson was cursing him? Watch

Team India’s aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson finally lived up to his  top billing as he recently hammered a blistering knock of 111 in just 47 balls, leading India to a record-breaking total of 297/6 in the second T20I match against Bangladesh. It was the highest-ever T20I score by a full-member ICC nation. Samson hit as many as 11 fours and eight huge sixes in his belligerent knock. It was the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian that Samson scored in just 40 balls.

Talented batter Samson finally proved his mettle after getting in and out of the Indian side so many times. Despite flashes of brilliance, he was not consistent enough to be often snubbed by the team management. However, he finally lived up to the expectation after enjoying the full confidence of coach Gautam Gambhir on him.

In a recent interview, Samson revealed about his relationship with captain Rohit Sharma and what happened after he was dropped from the playing XI in the last T20 World Cup final.

Samson was initially set to play in the summit clash against South Africa in Barbados. However, he was dropped at the last moment as the team management decided to go with the same lineup.

“I had a chance to play the final. I was told to stay ready, and I was ready. However, just before the toss, they decided to stick with the same XI. During warm-ups, Rohit took me aside to explain the decision. He asked, ‘You understood, na?’” Samson revealed. 

“I told him (Rohit), ‘Let’s focus on winning the match first; we can talk later’,” he added.

After sensing Samson’s disappointment, Rohit returned to him immediately and said, “I know you’re cursing me in your mind.”

However, in response, Samson said that he respected his (Rohit) explanation, but he will always carry a regret that he missed playing a World Cup final under a leader like him.

Later, in the interview, Samson admitted that the 10-minute conversation with Rohit before the toss left a lasting impact on him.

🚨🚨 Sanju Samson was all set to play in XI of T2OI WC Final as Rohit had told him the morning of final but at toss Rohit Sharma announced the same XI and in return he got "duck" from Rishabh Pant.

Rohit then talked to Samson after toss for over 10 minutes and apologized. I… pic.twitter.com/lxGa0f7DsB

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 21, 2024

“I thought, in such a high-pressure moment like a World Cup final, the captain would usually focus on the game or the players who are playing. But Rohit took 10 minutes to explain his decision to me before the toss, and then he went for the toss. That gesture won him a place in my heart forever,” Samson revealed in the interview.