India wicketkeeper Sanju Samson is under scrutiny after his poor performance ahead of the much-anticipated 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7. However, Samson’s childhood coach Biju George said Ishan Kishan’s comeback was a motivation to improve his game rather than a threat.

After a strong season in 2024, Sanju Samson has struggled to find form in T20Is over the past year. The 31-year-old has scored 262 runs in the last 19 T20Is at an average of 17.46 and a strike rate of 129.06 with just five fifties. In the ongoing series against New Zealand, Samson has scored just 40 runs in four games.

A little pressure from Sanju Samson’s childhood coach Ishan Kishan

Speaking to PTI, Biju George said that Ishan Kishan’s good form should motivate Sanju Samson. George added that pressure is inevitable for top players, but staying at the top depends on consistent performance.

Your daily dose of cricket!

“Ishan performing well may bring some pressure, but not as a threat, but as a reference. If he can do well, why can’t I? That may be the only question in Sanju’s mind,” George said.

“The guy at the top is always under pressure, and the competitor climbing up is constantly pushing. But once you get there, it’s what you do to stay there that’s what really matters,” he added.

He should make a comeback through the World Cup – Sanju Samson’s childhood coach

Biju George said Samson will bounce back and added that he has the ability to perform well in big events like the World Cup. George also said that players like Samson and Abhishek Sharma may not score runs in every match but can win matches on the day.

“My gut feeling and belief is that he should make a comeback through the World Cup and he will achieve that,” he said.

“Form is temporary, class is permanent,” George said. “Guys like Sanju and Abhishek Sharma should be given some leeway as they are impactful players. They won’t score more than 100 points per game, but when they do, they can win against any team in the world.”

His performances were inconsistent – Sanju Samson’s childhood coach

George admitted that inconsistency has been an issue faced by Kerala batsmen in international matches. He pointed out that Samson rarely got long runs in the Indian team. The coach added that Samson may not have fully shown his true potential.

“If you look at his history as an Indian player, he hasn’t played more than five games in a row and he’s done that now and it’s a credit to the management,” George said.

“He may not be making the most of his talent yet, but I don’t believe he’s struggling with self-doubt. He’s trying to find his perfect rhythm and that will come,” he said.