Sanju Samson’s father, Viswanat,h has defended India captain Suryakumar Yadav and praised him for backing his son despite what he said in a recent press conference. This comes after Sanju Samson played one of the best knocks in T20Is, helping India qualify for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Samson smashed 97* against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata after being included in the Indian playing XI just a game before in the Super 8s. India chased down a 196-run target thanks to Samson’s brilliant knock, as he shouldered the chase with wickets falling around him.

Suryakumar was heavily chastised for his comments against Samson's participation in the team following his match-winning 97 not out.

When Suryakumar was asked if Samson should play or not, the Indian captain smiled and suggested he might bring in the wicket-keeper batter from Kerala. The comment elicited laughter from the room.

“Are you telling me I should include him in place of Abhishek?” replied the Indian T20I captain with a smile on his face.

When asked if Samson can fit in at No. 3, he said, "Oh, so I should play him instead of Tilak (Verma)?"

Throwback When Suryakumar Yadav mocking reporter when he asked question about including Sanju Samson in playing in place of Abhishek Sharma ????pic.twitter.com/vWORLfWCbh

— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) March 1, 2026

However, Samson's father has explained that people should have seen a change in the way Suryakumar spoke to the media. Vishwanath praised the Indian T20I skipper and advised people not to extend his words, citing the contrast between his words and actions.

“He (Suryakumar Yadav) has no ego. He acknowledges his teammates and supports them. He is a real captain. We all know how much Suryakumar Yadav supports Sanju. We should not take that word to that level. There should be a slight difference in the way he speaks. We should see that difference.

Whatever he said in that press conference was not intentional. No one has backed Sanju as much as Surya and Gambhir. Surya is also like a son to me,” Viswanath said to a local daily, Mathrubhumi.

Samson was not included in the Indian XI due to poor form, with Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan being the openers. But Rinku Singh’s father’s demise led to Samson getting into the India XI against Zimbabwe, and he held onto his spot as he provided a buffer in the all-left-handed top order.

India will now face England in the second semi-final in Mumbai on March 5, 2026, with the winner taking on New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on March 8.