Former Selector Calls for Sanju Samson to Be Dropped From T20I Squad

Ex-India captain K Srikkanth opined that Sanju Samson must be dropped from the T20I squad due to inconsistency, praising Ishan Kishan’s impact.

Former India captain and selector K Srikkanth has questioned Sanju Samson’s place in the T20I squad following the New Zealand series. He pointed to Samson’s low returns across three matches, where the batter scored only 16 runs, including a golden duck in Guwahati.

Srikkanth highlighted Ishan Kishan’s strong performances as a key factor in the debate. Kishan scored 76 off 32 balls and 28 off 13 balls in the final two games of the series. India completed a 3–0 sweep with an eight-wicket win in the third T20I.

“You can’t drop Ishan Kishan now, no chance. Kishan is a more devastating player than Sanju Samson. I feel bad for Sanju. He seems desperate. He could have scored well in the last match and could’ve played well if he was a bit sensible,” Srikkanth said.

“The problem with Samson is his consistency. He makes a hundred but doesn’t score much thereafter. His performance have been quite up and down in the last one and a half year. It has been a year and a half since his century against South Africa,” he continued.

“Samson has been unlucky sometimes but at the end of the day, you are facing competition. You can’t help it. Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma are a certainty. Obviously, Samson will miss out. Kishan is a keeper-batter too and he is in such dangerous form,” the former selector added.

Tilak Varma Injury Opens Door for Kishan

Sanju Samson had opened for India until last year’s Asia Cup before moving down the order to accommodate Shubman Gill. The shift did not work for either player. Samson later returned to the squad as Ishan Kishan joined as cover after strong performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

An injury to Tilak Varma opened a spot at number three, allowing Kishan to step in. Team management appears cautious about rushing Tilak before the T20 World Cup 2026. Once he returns, one batter must make way.

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