Sanju Samson’s T20 World Cup Dreams Fade After Home-Ground Failure
The pressure is mounting on Sanju Samson. Once hailed as a white-ball sensation with a penchant for the spectacular, the Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter now finds his place in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 plans hanging by a thread. The latest blow comes not from a selector’s pen, but from the sharp, unfiltered commentary of Indian cricket legend, Sunil Gavaskar.
Gavaskar, known for his no-nonsense analysis, has dropped a bombshell, stating he simply “doesn’t see Sanju Samson being part of the XI” for the upcoming mega-event. This verdict follows Samson’s latest failure on his home ground in Thiruvananthapuram during the fifth T20I against New Zealand, where he managed just 24 runs off 15 balls before being dismissed [[8]].
Table of Contents
- The Gavaskar Verdict: A Damning Assessment
- Samson’s Form Slump: A Statistical Reality
- Kishan’s Century: The Final Nail?
- The Path Forward for Samson
- Conclusion: A Crossroads for a Talented Batter
- Sources
The Gavaskar Verdict: A Damning Assessment
During a recent broadcast, Gavaskar didn’t mince his words. He described Samson’s approach at the crease as having “no footwork at all,” a damning critique of a batter’s fundamental technique [[24]]. This isn’t the first time Gavaskar has been critical; he previously blasted Samson for a poor dismissal in the 4th T20I, pointing out glaring flaws in his shot selection and balance [[25]].
Gavaskar’s core argument is that in high-stakes tournaments like the T20 World Cup, consistency and technical soundness are paramount. He believes that Samson’s tendency to play expansive, high-risk shots without a solid base makes him a liability in crunch situations. In his view, the team needs players who can anchor the innings or provide reliable starts, a role he feels Samson has failed to fill consistently.
Samson’s Form Slump: A Statistical Reality
While fans have often defended Samson’s talent, the numbers in recent times paint a concerning picture. His T20I record as of early 2026 stands at 1072 runs in 48 innings at an average of just 24.36 [[1]]. While he boasts three centuries—a rare feat—his inconsistency is stark.
The year 2026 has been particularly harsh. Before the final T20I, he had scored a mere 16 runs across three matches [[7]]. Even in the preceding series against England, his returns were meager: 26, 5, 3, and 1 runs [[5]]. This prolonged lean patch, especially in the lead-up to a World Cup, is a major red flag for any selector.
Kishan’s Century: The Final Nail?
If Samson’s struggles weren’t enough, his primary competitor for the wicketkeeper-batter role, Ishan Kishan, delivered a statement performance. On January 31, 2026, Kishan smashed a maiden T20I century, scoring a breathtaking 103 off just 42 balls in the same Thiruvananthapuram match [[11]].
This wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a direct challenge to Samson’s position. Kishan’s aggressive yet controlled knock powered India to a massive total of 271/5 and a 46-run victory [[16]]. In a single innings, Kishan demonstrated the explosive potential and match-winning ability that the selectors crave for the T20 format. His performance has undoubtedly strengthened his case for a starting spot in the India T20 World Cup 2026 squad.
The Path Forward for Samson
So, is this the end of the road for Samson in the T20I setup? Not necessarily, but his window of opportunity is rapidly closing. With the T20 World Cup squad likely to be finalized soon, he needs to produce something extraordinary in domestic cricket or any remaining practice games.
His only hope lies in the selectors valuing his unique ability to change a game in a few overs—a skill he’s shown in the IPL. However, as Gavaskar and others have pointed out, international cricket, especially at a World Cup, demands more than just occasional brilliance. It requires reliability, which Samson has struggled to provide.
For now, the writing seems to be on the wall. The combination of Gavaskar’s authoritative critique, his own statistical slump, and Kishan’s explosive form has created a perfect storm that threatens to wash Samson out of the World Cup reckoning.
Conclusion: A Crossroads for a Talented Batter
Sanju Samson stands at a critical crossroads in his international career. His undeniable talent is matched only by his frustrating inconsistency. Sunil Gavaskar’s blunt assessment that he won’t be part of the playing XI is a reflection of a growing sentiment within the cricketing community. With Ishan Kishan firing on all cylinders and the T20 World Cup just around the corner, Samson’s time to prove his worth is running out fast. The question is no longer if he can play a big innings, but if he can do it when it matters most for his country. For more on India’s World Cup preparations, check out our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:india-t20-world-cup-2026-squad-predictions].