The Aryavarth Express Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav added a dash of humour to the team’s arrival in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday morning, playfully teasing Sanju Samson as the squad landed in the Kerala capital ahead of the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand.
With Samson returning to his home ground, a large number of fans gathered at the airport to catch a glimpse of the local favourite. Amid the buzz, Suryakumar ensured the spotlight stayed firmly on his teammate, engaging in a light-hearted exchange that quickly drew attention. As the duo walked through the crowd, the Indian skipper jokingly asked fans and security personnel to make way, saying, “Make way, please, don’t disturb Chetta. No photos,” in a video shared by the BCCI on X.
The playful banter continued when Suryakumar asked Samson how it felt after “landing in God’s Own Country.” The wicketkeeper-batter responded with a smile, saying, “Feeling great, it always feels great, but this time it is very special,” underlining the emotional significance of playing an international match at his home venue.
India are set to face New Zealand in the fifth T20I of the series at the Greenfield International Stadium on Saturday, January 31. The match is expected to witness a packed stadium, with fans eager to cheer for Samson and the Indian team as the series draws to a close.
Following their arrival, members of the Indian squad visited the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to offer prayers. Captain Suryakumar Yadav, vice-captain Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, fielding coach T Dilip, and other support staff were present during the visit.
Security arrangements at the temple were tightened, with police personnel deployed to manage the visit. Temple authorities also interacted with the players and posed for photographs.
India have already sealed the series with victories in the first three matches and will aim to cap it off with another win before turning their focus to the upcoming home World Cup campaign, beginning on February 7.
