Where is Sanju Samson going wrong?

Sanju Samson, for the first time, has been given a long rope in the Indian team. However, he recently lost his place in the playing XI after a horrendous performance in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Samson had a phenomenal time with the bat in 2024 as he amassed 436 runs in 12 T20I innings at an average of 43.60 and a strike rate of 180.16. During the year, he smashed three centuries and one fifty. However, things started to go downhill for him once Shubman Gill was brought back into the T20 setup during the Asia Cup in September last year.

Samson had to relinquish his opening slot and move down the order. He didn't have a fixed position, and the team management tried him in different slots. However, the wicketkeeper-batter failed to impress. Shubman didn't grab the opportunity at the top of the order as his returns were abysmal. The Punjab batter was eventually ousted from the squad for the T20Is against the Kiwis.

Samson returned to opening alongside Abhishek Sharma. However, in five innings versus New Zealand, the Kerala cricketer managed just 46 runs at an average of 9.20. On the other hand, fellow wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan returned to the side after a three-year hiatus and played superbly at No. 3. He finished as the second-highest run-getter in the series.

During the warm-up match against South Africa ahead of the T20 World Cup, Kishan opened the batting instead of Samson and this was a sign of things to come. In India's T20 World Cup opener against the USA, Samson was benched with Kishan and Abhishek opening together.

Samson did get his chance in the second game against Namibia on a belter of a track at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. He replaced Abhishek Sharma, who was recovering from a stomach illness. Samson looked in blistering form right from the outset against Namibia as he slammed 22 off just seven balls. However, he threw his wicket away rather tamely off the eighth delivery.

Kishan, however, capitalised on the batting-friendly track and the short boundaries on offer. He smashed 61 off just 24 balls. Now, it is obvious that once Abhishek returns to full fitness, he will open the batting alongside Kishan, and Samson will have to make way.

The constant shuffling in the batting order since the Asia Cup last year might have disrupted Samson's rhythm. He sometimes tends to underestimate his own talent, like in the game against Namibia. The 31-year-old is a much better player, capable of playing long innings instead of small cameos. If Samson gets another chance during the World Cup, he will have to back himself and play like he used to in 2024, converting starts into match-winning centuries.