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Following India’s dramatic five-wicket victory over the West Indies at Eden Gardens, veteran Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor took to social media to celebrate the “superlative” performance of Kerala’s cricketing icon, Sanju Samson.
Samson’s unbeaten 97 on Sunday, March 1, 2026, didn’t just win the match; it secured India’s spot in the T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals, effectively silencing critics who had questioned his consistency.
Tharoor’s Message: “Pride and Relief”
Shashi Tharoor, a long-time vocal supporter of Samson, expressed a sense of personal vindication in his post.
- The Emotional Connection: Tharoor admitted he had “suffered” alongside Samson during the wicketkeeper-batsman’s frequent exclusions from the national side.
- Thiruvananthapuram’s Son: He dubbed Samson the “Pride of India” and used the viral hashtag #NammudeSanju (Our Sanju) to mark the occasion.
- The Statement: “Today he showed the world why he deserved to be there in the first place,” Tharoor wrote, highlighting the magnitude of the knock in a “virtual quarter-final.”
Match Impact: Samson “Comes Clutch”
| Aspect | Detail |
| The Performance | 97 runs* (Chase masterclass at Eden Gardens). |
| The Stakes | A must-win “Super 8” clash to qualify for the knockouts. |
| The Selection | Experts believe this innings guarantees Samson a spot in the XI for the remainder of the tournament. |
| Next Opponent | England in the Semi-Final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. |
Defence Stocks Surge Amid Geopolitical Tensions
While the nation celebrates the cricket victory, the Indian economy is reacting sharply to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict:
- Defence Sector Boom: Shares of major Indian defence firms surged 15% on Monday morning. Investors are pivoting toward “safety” and anticipating increased global demand for military hardware following the strikes in Tehran.
- Bomb Threats in Punjab: Amid the heightened global alert, several schools in Jalandhar received bomb threat emails today, prompting immediate evacuations and security sweeps.
- CBI Action in Mumbai: In a separate development, the CBI has launched a probe into LIC officers for an alleged ₹4 lakh bribe involving death claim settlements.
Corporate News: Tech Mahindra & Orange
In a significant tech move, Tech Mahindra has signed a 5-year strategic partnership with Orange Business. The collaboration aims to accelerate global digital transformation and cloud-native services, marking a major win for the Indian IT giant.
Upcoming T20 World Cup Schedule
- March 4, 2026: Semi-Final 1: Australia vs. South Africa (Mumbai)
- March 5, 2026: Semi-Final 2: India vs. England (Ahmedabad)
- March 8, 2026: The Grand Final (Kolkata)