As the Indian cricket team touched down in the coastal city of Thiruvananthapuram for the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand on January 31, the atmosphere was a mix of intense pressure and light-hearted camaraderie. While the Men in Blue have already secured the series with a dominant 3-1 lead, the final showdown at the Greenfield International Stadium serves as the ultimate dress rehearsal for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to kick off just weeks from now. Among the headlines, one moment at the Trivandrum airport captured the hearts of fans: T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav‘s playful “bodyguard” act for local hero Sanju Samson.

Suryakumar Yadav steps in as bodyguard for Sanju Samson in Trivandrum

The homecoming of Samson is always a grand affair in Kerala, but this time, the captain decided to add a touch of wit to the arrival. As the team waded through a sea of passionate fans and cameras at the airport, Suryakumar stepped in front of Samson, mimicry of a stern personal security officer.

With a mischievous grin, Surya was heard shouting to the crowd and media personnel, “Please give way, move aside! Do not disturb Chetta!” The use of the word Chetta, a term of endearment meaning “big brother” in Malayalam, sent the surrounding fans into a frenzy. Samson, who has often carried the weight of expectations as the state’s cricketing icon, was left in splits, following his captain toward the team bus with a broad smile. This moment of levity showcased the deep bond within the squad, even as the stakes for the final match remain high.

Here’s the video:

Make way for @IamSanjuSamson in 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 😉

🎥 Don’t miss this banter between friends Sanju Samson and Captain Surya Kumar Yadav 😄#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFirstBank | @surya_14kumar pic.twitter.com/zBAFPmZJGk

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 30, 2026

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Samson’s batting form and the race to T20 World Cup 2026

Despite the airport banter, the cricketing reality for Samson is becoming increasingly tense. The Kerala stumper has struggled to find his rhythm in this series, managing only 40 runs across four innings (10, 6, 0, and 24). His latest dismissal in the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam, where he fell for 24 after getting a start has intensified the debate over his consistency at the international level.

The timing of this lean patch is particularly sensitive. With Ishan Kishan showing blistering form and the T20 World Cup 2026 squad selection being finalized, Samson’s spot in the starting XI is under the scanner. Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently noted that Samson might be playing with a “clouded mind,” feeling the heat of the competition.

As the series concludes in his den, the fifth T20I represents a high-stakes opportunity for Samson to silence the critics. For the Indian team management, the Trivandrum clash is less about the series trophy, which is already in the bag and more about ensuring their key players are mentally and technically ready for the global stage.

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