Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that Sanju Samson fell into a trap and was dismissed in a similar manner when he found himself short of runs. Citing the early 2025 series against England and the recently concluded T20Is against New Zealand as examples, he pointed out how SamsonAs the game progressed, he was sacked.

India defeated New Zealand by 46 runs in the fifth and final T20I in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, January 31. Batting first, the Men in Blue posted 271 for 5 while New Zealand responded with 225 runs. In his home match, Samson was dismissed for six as he got thick outside off a long ball off Lockie Ferguson.

during discussion ESPNcricinfoChopra believes Samson’s inability to overcome his technical shortcomings, which go beyond just a lack of runs, could cost him a place in the starting XI. 2026 T20 World Cup. The former India batsman said:

“I think there have been two cases like this in about 12 months now. It all started with the England series. It’s rare that you find a top-order batsman forming a pattern, especially in the shortest format of the game. He was dismissed five times the same way – short balls into the abyss. Again, if you look at his dismissals versus pace, it’s a strange pattern.

“Even before the ball is bowled, you are deep inside the crease. You try to hit the ball but the front foot is not going anywhere. As a result, every time you bowl, your bat actually closes. He was lucky to get an outside edge once in Thiruvananthapuram. In the last game, he closed the bat too early again, so there was a pattern again,” the 48-year-old continued to elaborate.

To sum up his thoughts on Samson’s batting woes, Chopra explain:

“Besides the lack of runs, it’s how he performs over those five innings and how out of sync he looks that is what will really determine his fate.”

Samson played all five matches of the T20I series against New Zealand. He scored only 46 points with an average of 9.20 and a shooting percentage of 135.29.

Instead of Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan looks set to join Abhishek Sharma in T20 World Cup 2026

When T20 series versus New Zealand The match started with Samson as the frontline wicket-keeper and Ishan Kishan was selected as the substitute. However, with Tilak Varma out due to testicular surgery, Kishan was given the opportunity to bat at No. 3 against New Zealand and grabbed it with both hands.

In four games, he scored 215 points with an average of 53.75 points, a shooting percentage of 231.18, and a ton of 50 points. The left-hander was named Man of the Match for his brilliant performance of 103 for 43 in Thiruvananthapuram. He even took over the gloves when India came on. The signs seem clear that when Varma returns to the starting XI for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Kishan will be selected in place of Samson.