Sanju Samson's recent performances have come under intense scrutiny, with critics pointing to his lack of consistency and questioning his place in the national team. Following a string of low scores in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, some experts have expressed disappointment and have started comparing him unfavorably to Ishan Kishan.
Former India opener Srikkanth stated, "You can't drop Ishan Kishan now, no chance. Kishan is a more devastating player than Sanju Samson. I feel bad for Sanju. He seems desperate," highlighting the contrasting form of the two wicketkeeper-batsmen. Srikkanth also pointed out Samson's inconsistency, noting that he tends to score a century and then fails to maintain that level of performance. "The problem with Samson is his consistency. He makes a hundred but doesn't score much thereafter. His performance have been quite up and down in the last one and a half year".
WV Raman, former India Women's head coach, offered a technical explanation for Samson's inconsistency. Raman suggested that Samson needs to adjust his bat speed in relation to the pace of the ball, stating, "Samson will be inconsistent as long as he doesn't adjust the speed of his bat on the downswing in relation to the pace of the ball. In simple terms, one can't drive a car at the same speed all the time, everywhere".
The debate around Samson's place in the team has intensified with the emergence of other talented players and with the T20 World Cup approaching. With players like Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma also in contention, the competition for spots in the top order has become fierce. Some analysts suggest that Samson's selection is crucial for maintaining a right-left batting combination in the top order, which can disrupt the opposition's bowling plans. However, they also caution that Samson needs to contribute meaningfully in the powerplay overs to justify his place in the team.
Despite the criticism, some voices advocate for giving Samson more opportunities, citing his potential and the need for a right-handed batsman in the top order. They argue that dropping him based on a few failures could create a longer-term problem of a predictable, left-heavy top order. It is also worth noting that Samson hammered three centuries in 2024 after being promoted to open the batting, but was then sidelined for unclear reasons in 2025.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the team management, who must weigh Samson's potential against his recent form and the available alternatives. As Srikkanth pointed out, "Samson has been unlucky sometimes, but at the end of the day, you are facing competition. You can't help it". The coming matches will be crucial for Samson to prove his worth and secure his place in the squad for the T20 World Cup.
