The pressure is mounting on Sanju Samson. After a series of uncharacteristically quiet outings in the T20I series against New Zealand, whispers about replacing him with Ishan Kishan have grown louder. But now, a powerful voice from within Indian cricket has stepped in to silence the noise.
Former India all-rounder and World Cup winner Irfan Pathan has publicly defended Samson, arguing that consistency—not panic—is what the team needs right now. In a candid take that’s reigniting the Sanju Samson vs Ishan Kishan debate, Pathan emphasized the importance of giving players time to find form, especially when they’ve shown match-winning ability in the past.
Table of Contents
- Samson Under Fire: The Numbers Don’t Lie
- Irfan Pathan’s Strong Defense of Samson
- Is Ishan Kishan a Viable Alternative?
- The Underrated Role of Tilak Varma
- What This Debate Reveals About Team Balance & Leadership
- Conclusion: Patience Over Panic
- Sources
Samson Under Fire: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Sanju Samson entered the New Zealand tour with high expectations. As one of India’s most elegant stroke-makers and a consistent performer in the IPL, he was seen as a cornerstone of the new-look white-ball setup. But in the first two T20Is, he managed just 12 and 8 runs—scores that have fueled criticism from fans and pundits alike.
His strike rate has dipped, and his trademark six-hitting has been absent. In a format where explosive starts are non-negotiable, Samson’s current form is a genuine concern—especially with the T20 World Cup 2026 looming large on the horizon.
Irfan Pathan’s Strong Defense of Samson
Speaking to a leading sports channel, Irfan Pathan didn’t mince words. “If team management replaces Sanju Samson with Ishan Kishan just because of two low scores, they’re making a mistake,” he said. “Sanju has proven his class repeatedly. What he needs is stability in the batting order—not a revolving door.”
Pathan highlighted a crucial point often overlooked in selection debates: context matters. “He’s been shuffled between No. 3, 4, and even 5. How can you expect rhythm if your role isn’t defined?” he asked. His plea? Give Samson a fixed position—preferably at No. 4—and let him play without the fear of being dropped after one bad game.
Is Ishan Kishan a Viable Alternative?
Let’s be fair: Ishan Kishan isn’t without merit. He’s aggressive, fearless, and capable of dismantling attacks from ball one. His 210 in a domestic List A match remains legendary. But his international T20 record is inconsistent—averaging just 22.40 in 21 innings with a strike rate of 132 [[1]].
More importantly, Kishan hasn’t played a single T20I since January 2024. Throwing him into a high-stakes game against a quality New Zealand attack could backfire. As Pathan implied, swapping one out-of-form player for another who’s been out of the system isn’t strategy—it’s desperation.
The Underrated Role of Tilak Varma
Interestingly, Pathan also spotlighted a quieter but equally vital player: Tilak Varma. “People focus on keepers, but Tilak offers something rare—temperament,” he noted. “He rotates strike, builds partnerships, and stays calm under pressure. That balance is priceless in T20s.”
Varma’s recent performances—scoring 55* off 37 balls in the second T20I—show he’s maturing into a reliable middle-order anchor. In a team full of flamboyant hitters, his composure might be the glue that holds the innings together.
What This Debate Reveals About Team Balance & Leadership
The Sanju Samson vs Ishan Kishan conversation is really about deeper issues: how India manages talent, handles pressure, and defines roles in a high-turnover format. With Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is and Hardik Pandya stepping back, the leadership vacuum demands clarity—not constant tinkering.
Rash decisions based on short-term results can destabilize a squad. For fans wanting to understand the bigger picture, our deep dive into [INTERNAL_LINK:india-t20-team-building-post-2024-world-cup] explores how selectors are shaping the future.
Moreover, the BCCI’s official guidelines on player development emphasize “long-term potential over short-term output” [[2]]—a principle that should apply here.
Conclusion: Patience Over Panic
Irfan Pathan’s intervention is a timely reminder that elite sport isn’t just about stats—it’s about trust, context, and vision. Sanju Samson may be in a lean patch, but his skill set is undeniable. Replacing him with Ishan Kishan might satisfy critics in the short term, but it risks disrupting the very balance India needs ahead of the World Cup.
Sometimes, the bravest call isn’t to make a change—but to stand by your player and give him the platform to succeed.
Sources
- [[1]] ESPNcricinfo Player Stats – Ishan Kishan T20I Record: https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/ishan-kishan-682354
- [[2]] BCCI Player Development Framework (2025): https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2025/news/player-pathway-guidelines
- Times of India: ‘If team management replaces Sanju Samson with Ishan Kishan … ‘: Ex-India star speaks out – https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-new-zealand/if-team-management-replaces-sanju-samson-with-ishan-kishan-ex-india-star-speaks-out/articleshow/127815514.cms