Sanju Samson’s unwanted poor patch in T20Is has come at the worst possible time with the T20 World Cup 2026 around the corner and Ishan Kishan piling on the pressure with blazing performances. After Samson fell for a golden duck in the third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati, former India batter and current KKR opener Ajinkya Rahane has urged the Kerala batter to stop trying to mirror Abhishek Sharma’s ultra-aggressive approach and instead stick to his own strengths.
Samson’s numbers have been horrible to say bluntly. Across his last nine innings as an opener, he has scored just 104 runs at an average of 11.55. This year alone, he has managed 16 runs in three innings, including scores of 10, 6 and 0. His last T20I fifty came back in September 2025 during the Asia Cup against Pakistan, nine innings ago. The golden duck in Guwahati was also the 25th of his T20 career, placing him among Indian batters with the most ducks in the format.
Rahane on Samson trying to copy Abhishek Sharma’s style
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Rahane pointed out that batting alongside someone like Abhishek Sharma, who has been scoring at an extraordinary pace, can subconsciously force Samson into playing shots that don’t suit his natural game. Right from ball one, Samson is looking to hit strokes without settling in. Although Abhishek does the same, but we have to understand that both are differnet players.
Samson main issue has been facing pacers as he gets a bit rushed. In the third T20I, he went too far back across to Matt Henry and missed the straighter one altogether. To make matter worse, Kishan came out with superb form and intent and smashed an entertaining cameo of 28 off 13.
“That’s where I feel the team management’s role and the captain’s role will be crucial, telling Sanju Samson that you’re going to play all these matches and also in the World Cup as well. So don’t worry about your place. Sometimes what happens is when you have a guy like Abhishek Sharma at the other end who’s going really strong. Sanju Samson will have this pressure on himself, as he’s basically trying to match Abhishek Sharma. The only thing for Sanjay Samson is sticking to his own game plan and backing himself,” said Rahane.
Ishan Kishan’s form adds selection headache
Rahane also spoke that communication is even more critical now, given Ishan Kishan’s strong form. With Kishan batting fluently and looking settled, the pressure on Samson is only going to increase. Samson is still the preferred keeper-opener in the team but that can change at any moment.
“What I saw about him in the T20 format in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well, he liked to play his game. My only thing is that the communication from the management is really important at this moment because Ishan Kishan is batting well. The team generally looks at the guy who’s doing well and performing well, who’s in that rhythm. So Sanju Samson is all about having that communication. Just give him the freedom. He’s a quality player. He’s a match winner. He just needs to back himself and then play his own game,” said Rahane.
While Samson struggles, Kishan’s stocks continue to rise. The left-hander was the highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, leading Jharkhand to their maiden title, and has carried that form into the international setup. His 76 off 32 balls in Raipur, followed by a quick 28 off 13, has strengthened his case as India’s wicketkeeper-batter for the World Cup. Samson remains the first-choice keeper for now, but if Kishan continues to cash in on his opportunities and Samson’s lean run extends further, the team management may soon be forced into a tough call.
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