Following Sanju Samson's recent struggles in the T20I series against New Zealand, former India seamer Irfan Pathan has voiced concerns about his place in the squad, particularly with Tilak Varma's impending return. In the third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati, Samson was dismissed for a first-ball duck, adding to his woes in the series, where he also scored 10 and 6 in the previous two matches.

Pathan didn't mince words while discussing Samson's form, stating that consistency has always been an issue for the Kerala keeper-batter. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan acknowledged Samson's undeniable talent but highlighted his inability to string together consistent performances. He suggested that Samson's place in the team could be in jeopardy if he fails to find form quickly, especially with the return of Tilak Varma, who is currently recovering from an injury.

"We have to accept he was never consistent," Pathan said, emphasizing the importance of consistency in international cricket. Samson had returned to the side as an opener in the fifth T20I against South Africa, seemingly solidifying his position. However, his poor performance against New Zealand has once again raised questions about his reliability.

Ishan Kishan, another wicketkeeper-batsman in the squad, has presented a strong case for inclusion in the playing XI, further complicating matters for Samson. According to a recent media advisory, Shreyas Iyer will continue to replace Tilak Varma for the remainder of the T20I series against New Zealand. Varma, who underwent surgery for an abdominal issue, is making progress with his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence but requires more time to regain full match fitness. He is expected to join the Indian squad on February 3 in Mumbai, ahead of India's warm-up match for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Pathan isn't alone in recognizing Varma's potential impact. Irfan Pathan has previously compared Varma to Virat Kohli, highlighting his ability to absorb pressure and score crucial runs. Pathan noted Varma's impressive performance in the 2025 Asia Cup final against Pakistan, where his contribution was instrumental in India's victory. Pathan stated that Varma has batted at No. 3 and No. 4, and has absorbed pressure and hit hundreds.

With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, India's team management will be keen to finalize their squad, and consistent performances will be a key factor in their decision-making. Samson will need to turn things around quickly to secure his place in the team, while Varma's return will undoubtedly add more competition for spots in the playing XI.

Currently, India has already sealed the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead, led by Suryakumar Yadav. The updated T20I squad includes players like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah.