The pressure is mounting on Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson after another shocking failure in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. India may have won the match against Namibia in Delhi, but another flop show from Sanju Samson has created fresh tension within the camp.
Another failure puts Sanju Samson under immense pressure
The Kerala star got his chance only because Abhishek Sharma fell ill ahead of India’s second Group A match with Namibia on February 12. It was a golden opportunity for Sanju, and even he started aggressively by hitting three big sixes and a four. The Delhi crowd became excited.
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But the fireworks were short lived as Samson gave away his wicket after scoring 22 runs in just 8 balls. A wrong shot, and now the heat is on as he once again fails to convert a good start into a big score. After the Oman game, former Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara expressed his clear disappointment at Samson’s repeated failure.
Cheteshwar Pujara is disappointed with Samson
Pujara has told that Men in Blue has many strong options like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Both are young, hungry and in strong form. This has made Samson’s place in the team even more risky.
“He’s getting enough chances and in India you don’t get enough chances. So I think he needs to make it count. He needs to score when he gets the chances,” Cheteshwar Pujara was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is also rich with extraordinary talent. He is not a part of the Indian team at present. Shubman Gill is once again not a part of the T20 team. So, there are a lot of options in India.”
Samson’s T20I numbers
Samson made his T20I debut in 2015. More than 10 years have passed. But his figures still raise questions. He has scored 1100 runs in 58 matches at an average of less than 24.
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The right-handed batsman has a good strike rate of around 149, but consistency is the main issue in T20I cricket. He has three centuries and three half-centuries to his name in this format.
Will India drop Sanju Samson for the clash against Pakistan?
Now everyone’s eyes are on India’s big clash against Pakistan in Colombo. If Abhishek Sharma recovers from his stomach problem, Sanju Samson is sure to lose his place immediately, and even if the explosive opener is not fit, the team management might be looking at other plans.
The Colombo pitch is expected to help the spinners. Considering this, the defending champion can go with three spinners against Pakistan. Kuldeep Yadav will be the first choice depending on the conditions, and then they also have Washington Sundar for the high-voltage Group A games against rival teams.
If India go with extra spin in Colombo, one batsman may have to sit out, and it could be Sanju Samson, considering how many opportunities he has wasted, and the defending champions cannot afford such high pressure and a weak link in a big game when all eyes will be on them.
