Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson recalled captain Rohit Sharma’s words to him before the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa as well. However, Samson had warmed the benches for India throughout the tournament but he was about to play in the final before a last-minute decision change made things change and eventually, India won by seven runs.

In an interview with journalist Vimal Kumar, as quoted by Hindustan Times, Samson said, “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. 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.”

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Sanju Samson also added that not playing a World Cup final under a leader like Rohit Sharma would be one of his biggest regrets as well.
After India won in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit announced his retirement from T20Is, alongside Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.

“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 again.

“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.