IND vs NZ 2026: 'Looks like a walking wicket' - Former India batter advises Sanju Samson to 'focus on basics'

Former Indian cricketer Devang Gandhi has advised out-of-form Sanju Samson to stick to the fundamentals to regain his mojo. Samson has registered only 40 runs in the four innings he has played in the ongoing five-match series against New Zealand.

Gandhi felt Samson's issues were not just technical but psychological as well. He compared how Samson's footwork was much better in the past as compared to now. He opined that spending time in the nets will do Samson a world of good.

"His issues are both mental and technical. Cricket is a game of confidence. His footwork earlier wasn’t expansive, but it was minimal and perfect. Those small things are missing now. Mentally, he doesn’t seem to be in the right frame of mind. If he focuses on the basics – even in T20 cricket – it’s not always about playing fancy shots. Just stick to the basics. Go to the nets. It’s not about hitting all the time; that comes naturally to the current generation. He needs to focus on fundamentals, which will give him confidence," stated Gandhi, as quoted by Revsportz.

Gandhi expressed confidence in Samson's capabilities as a batter. However, he could not help but underscore the fact regarding Samson's inconsistencies over the years. Gandhi also commented on Samson's form being a worrying sign as the T20 World Cup 2026 approaches.

"If he is better prepared, he can get out of this poor run of form. We all know the kind of talent he (Sanju) possesses, but if you look at his overall career, he has not been very consistent. These recent failures will add to the concerns of the team management. Heading into the World Cup, you want both your openers to be in good form. Abhishek Sharma is in sublime form, but at the moment Sanju looks like a walking wicket, which is a concern," he added.

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While the rest of the batting lineup has fired on most occasions for India in the recent T20Is, Samson has not been able to make the most of his opportunities. He had a rather lackluster 2025 as well. The fifth T20I of the New Zealand series is scheduled to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31, and Samson will be keen to make the most of the chance.