Sanju Samson: Rising Amid India’s Top-Order Woes

Samson’s Mixed Record Against South Africa

Before taking the field in Ahmedabad, Sanju Samson had faced South Africa four times in T20Is. His record was intriguing: whenever he avoided a duck, he scored a century. This set the stage for a potential story of redemption—but live cricket, as always, can defy even the most promising narratives.

A Promising Start

The early signs of an impactful innings appeared in just the fourth over when Samson lofted Ottneil Baartman for a boundary. By the time he reached his third boundary, he had accumulated 16 runs from 8 balls. A tentative start seemed to be giving way to something more substantial.

Replacement and Opportunity

Samson was included in the playing XI ahead of Shubman Gill, who had suffered a foot injury in the nets before the previous game. Due to fog, Samson did not get a chance to bat in Lucknow, making Ahmedabad his first—and potentially only—opportunity of the series. For a player whose international career has often been defined by brief windows of opportunity, making the most of this moment was essential.

Samson’s Career Context

Samson’s most consistent performances have come under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, playing 27 of his 52 T20Is since July 2024. Despite scoring three centuries during this period, he has been shuffled in the order, making room for Gill at the top and Jitesh Sharma in the finisher’s role. His inclusion in Ahmedabad offered a chance to strengthen his case for permanent selection.

Timing Couldn’t Be Better

India’s top order has struggled recently, with both Gill and Suryakumar out of form. Samson’s return provided an alternative and relieved some pressure from Abhishek, whose consistent form has kept India competitive. Samson’s role was critical: supporting the in-form batsman while addressing the team’s concerns at the top of the order.

The Innings Unfolds

Samson’s innings began with a measured approach, followed by aggressive strokes. A six over long-on in the second over signaled his intent. Boundaries flowed effortlessly as he took on fielders in the deep and showed remarkable comfort in playing high-risk shots. Even a leading edge that nearly resulted in a catch could not disrupt his rhythm. For a period, Samson outscored both Abhishek and India’s current leading T20 batter—a rare feat.

Abrupt End

Just as he seemed well set, George Linde delivered a ball that knocked over the stumps, ending Samson’s 22-ball 37. The dismissal came at a pivotal moment, leaving questions about his consistency and ability to convert promising starts into match-defining performances.

Implications for Team Selection

An early exit would have resolved the Samson-Gill dilemma for selectors. A big innings, conversely, would have strengthened Samson’s case as an indispensable player. His 37 runs neither harmed nor decisively bolstered his position, reflecting a pattern often seen in the IPL that has affected his national team progression.

The Broader Context

Gill has not yet justified the selectors’ preference, and Jitesh Sharma has had limited opportunities to shine. With India’s top order underperforming, Samson’s brief yet impactful innings adds a potential option for selectors ahead of the World Cup. His performance serves as a reminder that he could be the solution to one of India’s pressing concerns in T20 cricket.

Looking Ahead

With only five T20Is remaining before the World Cup, India’s management must soon decide whether Samson’s talent and timing can offer a long-term fix. His innings in Ahmedabad may not have been monumental, but it certainly reignited the debate over his role in India’s T20 setup.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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