Overview

• Batting at No. 5, Sanju Samson struck 39 off 23 balls with one four and three sixes at a strike rate of 169.57.
• Samson took 24 off 11 balls from Wanindu Hasaranga, flipping a previously poor matchup against the legspinner.
• He and Tilak Varma forged a 66-run stand off 42 deliveries, steadying India after early wickets and helping post 202 for 5.
• India followed assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate’s indication that Samson’s role is No. 5 after recent batting-order shuffles that left him unused against Bangladesh.
• Fans and pundits urged a settled middle order for the final, with suggestions to move Samson earlier and push Suryakumar Yadav down, as Samson’s visible frustration at his dismissal underlined the stakes.