![[WATCH]- Sanju Samson Wins Hearts By Gifting Gloves To Fan After IND vs SA 5th T20I](https://cricfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_1437.jpeg "[WATCH]- Sanju Samson Wins Hearts By Gifting Gloves To Fan After IND vs SA 5th T20I")
Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson produced a heartwarming moment for fans after the fifth T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19. The Kerala-born cricketer was seen gifting his wicketkeeping gloves to a young supporter, with the clip of the gesture quickly doing the rounds on social media.
The 31-year-old, who returned to the side after Shubman Gill suffered a toe injury, made a strong impact with the bat, scoring a brisk 37 off 22 balls to provide early momentum to India’s innings. He added a rapid 63-run partnership in just 5.3 overs with Abhishek Sharma, helping the hosts post a commanding total of 231/5.
India then successfully defended the target, sealing a 30-run victory and clinching the five-match series 3-1. Here’s the clip capturing the heartwarming moment:
— Ro Ko (@Tejash_cric4518) December 20, 2025
Sanju Samson was also involved in a couple of dismissals behind the stumps as India tightened their grip on the game, denying the Proteas, who at one point looked capable of chasing down 232 to draw the series level.
Sanju Samson Likely To Be Finalised As Opener For T20 World Cup 2026
Meanwhile, the Indian selectors have finalised the squad for the T20 World Cup as well as the five-match T20I series against New Zealand that precedes the tournament. Shubman Gill has been dropped following a string of underwhelming performances at the top, while Samson’s impressive consistency as an opener has put him in strong contention to cement that role for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The 31-year-old has opened the batting 18 times in T20Is, accumulating 559 runs at an average of 32.88 and a blistering strike rate of 178.03. Notably, all three of his T20I centuries have come while opening. With both Abhishek Sharma and Samson capable of scoring at rapid rates, the team management will be eager to see the pair replicate that approach on the big stage.
India are set to play five T20Is against New Zealand starting January 21, before kicking off their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7. The Men in Blue have been drawn in a group alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, and Pakistan.
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