IND vs WI 2026: 'No questions around him' - Cheteshwar Pujara backs Sanju Samson amid poor run of form

Sanju Samson is going through a difficult phase with the bat during India's five-match T20I series against West Indies. The wicketkeeper-batter managed only 11 runs off 9 deliveries in India's eight-wicket victory in the first T20I played in Lucknow on October 6, 2026. With the second match scheduled for October 9, 2026 in Ranchi, questions have emerged about Samson's form and his place in the playing XI.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the former India batter, has come out in strong support of Samson ahead of the upcoming matches. Pujara emphasised that there should be no doubt about Samson's credentials or his role in the team. He highlighted Samson's World Cup performance earlier in 2026 as evidence of his quality as a player.

"I hope that there is no pressure on him, because there shouldn't be. He has won a World Cup for the Indian team and performed exceptionally well there. He's a quality player. So there shouldn't be any questions around him being part of the playing XI," Pujara said on JioStar.

"Yes, you might have one or two bad games, and then if he has that, that's the time when the team management has to step in, give him the right message that, 'You are an important part of this team and will be part of this playing XI, so just go out there, express yourself, play your natural game.' And in a T20 format, there'll be some failures in between. But that's the time when you talk to a player, give him the right message. Yes, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is there, he will get his opportunity when the right time comes, but you don't make too many changes. If Sanju plays another two or three innings, I'm sure he will perform exceptionally well," he added.

Dhir was using his cricketing intelligence: Pujara

Pujara praised Naman Dhir for using his cricketing intelligence during his three-wicket spell against West Indies in the first T20I. He highlighted Dhir’s ability to vary his pace, line and length after conceding a six. Pujara noted that while Dhir may not be expected to bowl four overs regularly, he is developing into a useful T20 bowler. He also stressed that Dhir must learn to adapt his bowling to flatter pitches as he gains experience.

"It was good to see that he was using his cricketing intelligence. He picked up three wickets, but before that he got hit for a six, so he was trying to change his line, he was trying to change his length and was varying his pace really well. So, yes, you're a part-timer, but you can't bowl just the usual stuff; you have to be a little bit more than that, and Naman Dhir showed that he's a quality bowler," said Pujara.

"You can't expect him to bowl four overs in each and every game, but he's definitely improving and is showing that he can be a decent bowler in a T20 format. But the performance against West Indies team in the first game was exceptional. There was some assistance from the pitch at Lucknow, so he will also have to learn the art of bowling on a flat pitch as well. But that will come with experience, and it was a good start for him," he concluded.