"I know you are cursing me in your mind" - Sanju Samson reveals Rohit Sharma's words before 2024 T20 World Cup final
Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson recalled skipper Rohit Sharma's words to him before the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. Samson had warmed the benches for India throughout the tournament but was to play in the final before a last-minute decision change meant he didn't.
Eventually, India won by seven runs in the summit clash to lift their second T20 World Cup.
In an interview with journalist Vimal Kumar, as quoted by Hindustan Times, Samson shared how a kind Rohit explained the decision even before a big game like the final.
"During the warm-up, Rohit took me to the side and started to explain to me why he was making that decision. He was like, 'You understood, na? You know his way, very casual?' I told him, 'Let us win the match and then talk. You focus on the match. He came back one minute later and said, 'I know you are cursing me in your mind.' I think you are not happy. I feel like you have something on your mind. Then we had a discussion," said Samson.
"I told him, 'As a player, I want to play'. I had a chance to play the final. I was told to stay ready. I was ready. However, they decided before the toss that we would go with the same team. I was like, no worries. I was in that type of mood," he added.
The Men in Blue went with Rishabh Pant as their wicketkeeper throughout the competition and stayed the course for the final.
India were unbeaten throughout the World Cup, including thumping wins over Australia and England before clinching a thriller against the Proteas in the final.
"This will be a regret in my heart that I missed a World Cup final with a leader like Rohit Sharma" - Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson acknowledged that not playing a World Cup final under a leader like Rohit Sharma would be one of his biggest regrets.
After India triumphed in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit announced his retirement from T20Is.
"Since childhood, I wanted to come here and do something. Then he was like, 'My pattern is like this' and all that. I said I totally respect that you came and explained me. I said, 'I will have a regret; I could not play a World Cup final with a leader like you.' This will be a regret in my heart that I missed a World Cup final with a leader like Rohit Sharma. That will stay in my life," Samson said in the same interaction.
"After this, I thought, such a big thing like a World Cup final. Before the final, you have changed your decision. You spent 10 minutes with the player that is not playing just before the toss. He gave me 10 minutes before the toss. After that, I got to know this person has some other qualities," he concluded.
Samson scored a breathtaking 111 off 47 deliveries in India's latest T20I win in the third T20I over Bangladesh at Hyderabad.