Former Team India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that it will be extremely hard for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to be a part of the playing XI in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 after his disastrous form in the New Zealand series.
Speaking on Star Sports, as quoted by NDTV Sports, Gavaskar said: “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.”
Ishan Kishan made full use of the opportunity provided to him in the New Zealand series just before the T20 World Cup, where he played two significant knocks. In the second T20I, he took part in a match-winning partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, while in the last T20I he played a blinder, scoring 103 off just 43 balls.
The left-hander became the second-highest run-getter of the series, scoring 215 runs in four innings at an average of 53.75.
On the other hand, Samson failed in the series, scoring just 46 runs from five matches.
Gavaskar added: “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.”
Also read- IND vs NZ: Chahal Calls Out Samson for Squandering Chances in T20I Series
For the latest sports news follow- Revsportz
