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The roar at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati was cut short in a split second. Chasing a modest target of 154 against New Zealand in the ongoing 3rd T20I, Indian fans were expecting a fiery start. Instead, they got stunned silence. Sanju Samson, opening the batting, was sent packing on the very first ball of the innings. A sharp delivery from Matt Henry crashed into the stumps, sending Samson walking back for a devastating Golden Duck.

Also Read: 3rd T20I: India’s clinical bowling keeps New Zealand to 153 for 9

This isn't just one bad game; it is a worrying pattern that is emerging at the worst possible time. With the T20 World Cup just days away, Samson’s bat has gone silent.

The Numbers Don't Lie ft. Sanju Samson

Since the start of 2025, Samson has been given a long rope at the top of the order, but the returns have been alarming. In his last nine innings, he hasn't scored a single fifty, and his average has plummeted.

Sanju Samson opening in T20Is since Jan 2025:

26 (20)

5 (7)

3 (6)

1 (3)

16 (7)

37 (22)

10 (7)

6 (5)

0 (1) (Today)*

Summary: Nine innings | 104 runs | Avg 11.55 | SR 133.33

Sanju Samson gets An Unwanted Record

To make matters worse, Samson’s dismissal today has put him on a list no one wants to be part of. Getting out on the very first ball of a T20 International innings is rare, but Samson has now joined some big names who suffered the same fate.

Indian batters dismissed first ball of a T20I innings:

KL Rahul vs Zim (Harare, 2016)

Prithvi Shaw vs SL (Colombo RPS, 2021)

Rohit Sharma vs WI (Basseterre, 2022)

Sanju Samson vs NZ (Guwahati, 2026)*

The Clock is Ticking

Context is everything. This failure didn't happen in a vacuum; it happened dangerously close to the upcoming T20 World Cup. While the talent is undeniable, an average of 11.55 in the last year is hard to defend. With the biggest tournament of the year around the corner, the management has a tough question to answer: Is it time to look past Samson, or does he have one final comeback left in him?

For now, the scoreboard reads 0(1), and that single digit might hurt more than any other.