NEW DELHI: Even his home venue in Thiruvananthapuram could not help Sanju Samson overcome his poor run in the T20I format. Opening the innings in the fifth match against New Zealand, Samson was dismissed for just 6 runs, extending a disappointing series for the right-hander.
He once again looked clueless with his footwork and shot selection and was dismissed after playing a rash shot, getting caught at third man.
How Sanju Samson got out
Lockie Ferguson struck early to silence the Trivandrum crowd. Samson went deep into his crease to a fullish delivery and attempted a lofted drive. Instead of timing it cleanly, he got a thick outside edge and the ball flew behind square.
Bevon Jacobs moved across from deep backward point and completed a sharp catch. While the ball was in the slot, Samson failed to middle it, underlining his struggles in the series.
The statistics make for worrying reading. Sanju Samson has opened in home T20Is on 15 occasions and has crossed the 30-run mark only twice. Those came in a knock of 111 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024 and 37 against South Africa in Ahmedabad in 2025.
Big questions ahead of T20 World Cup
Sanju Samson has managed only 46 runs in five matches in this series so far. Despite his vast international experience, he has looked uncertain, particularly with his footwork and shot selection, and has often been dismissed in poor fashion.
With the T20 World Cup around the corner, major questions have now arisen over his place in the playing XI. The debate has intensified on whether Samson deserves to continue as an opener or if Ishan Kishan should be given the role instead.
