Former World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar has given a blunt response when asked about the Sanju Samson vs Ishan Kishan debate. The cricketer-turned-commentator feels that there’s no way Samson can find a place in the team at the T20 World Cup 2026, especially after getting overshadowed by Kishan in the India vs New Zealand T20Is.
Samson fails and Kishan shines
Before the five-match series against New Zealand began on January 21, Samson was the clear favourite as India’s first-choice keeper. He had a great 2024, racking up 436 runs at 43.60 and 180.16. However, his place was chopped and changed regularly once India tried to slot in Shubman Gill. While Gill failed, Samson’s poor of 2025 never really recovered. His numbers last year dropped to 222 runs at 20.18 and 126.85.
Samson has now gone worse in 2026. It may be because of his lack of confidence or a major change in his technique, but Samson has just forgot how to make runs. He ranks 15th in the highest run-scorers in IND vs NZ series with just 46 runs at 9.20. To make matters worse for him, Ishan Kishan just blew everyone away.
“I think the selection committee was quite forthright, giving Sanju Samson all the opportunities. But now, with Ishan Kishan’s innings here and Tilak Varma likely to return, the batting order looks definite,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports
Kishan made 215 runs at an unbelievable strike rate of 231.18, rounding off the series with his maiden T20I century in Trivandrum. Kishan has never seemed so comfortable at the crease. Despite feeling the pressure of playing for India after over an year, Kishan was amazing and simply outclassed Samson with ease. Fascinatingly, Kishan got to play four games since there was no Tilak Varma in the side, who is on his road to recovery.
“It is really difficult to drop him. And dropping him for whom? Tilak Varma is a proven performer at this level. Sanju Samson is also a proven performer, but he is not in form. It has got nothing to do with his ability. In a tournament like the World Cup, you can’t take chances. This is the reason I think that after giving him five matches – I think his highest score is 24 – and he has got out in odd manners, he is definitely short on confidence. Unless Tilak Varma is not fit, I don’t see him (Samson) being part of the XI on February 7 (vs USA in the T20 World Cup),” Gavaskar said after the match ended.
Samson vs Kishan in IND vs NZ T20Is
| PLAYER | INNS | RUNS | AVG | SR | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | 4 | 215 | 53.75 | 231.18 | 22 | 16 |
| Sanju Samson | 5 | 46 | 9.20 | 135.29 | 6 | 2 |
