Sanju Samson Slammed By 5 Experts After, NZ T20I Struggles
Sanju Samson Disastrous Series Against New Zealand
Nightmarish Performance Across Five Matches
Team India wicket-keeper Sanju Samson endured a nightmarish series recently. He struggled across the five matches against New Zealand terribly. The matches happened against New Zealand at home in India. Meanwhile, the Men in Blue relished a dominant victory overall. They celebrated a dominant 4-1 victory in the series. India won four out of five matches convincingly against the Kiwis.
However, the 31-year-old scored only 46 runs disappointingly. These runs came across the five matches combined poorly. Additionally, only 46 runs were scored by him at an average of 9.20. Moreover, an average of 9.20 was maintained by the wicket-keeper. His batting average remained abysmal throughout the series. Furthermore, his high score was just 24 in one innings. That represented his best effort across five matches pathetically.
Final Match Seals Disappointing Series
Moreover, the final nail in the coffin was hammered. This happened after Sanju Samson perished for a poor score. Specifically, he scored a run-a-ball 6 in the final fixture. This came in the final T20I of the series disappointingly. The match took place at his home ground significantly. It happened in Thiruvananthapuram where he should excel usually. His hometown crowd expected much better from him.
Furthermore, the right-handed batter looked unsettled from the word-go. He appeared uncomfortable from the word-go on a surface. Specifically, this was on a batting-friendly wicket surprisingly at home. The pitch suited batting perfectly according to experts. Nevertheless, he ultimately lost his wicket to Lockie Ferguson. The dismissal came well inside the powerplay early. Ferguson claimed his wicket cheaply during the fielding restrictions.
Kishan’s Century Highlights Samson’s Failure
Subsequently, his competitor, fellow wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan, capitalized brilliantly. Kishan staked his claim with a stunning performance. Specifically, he scored a stunning maiden T20I ton impressively. The century was his first in T20 internationals ever. Moreover, this came after coming into bat following circumstances. He entered following Samson’s dismissal at the crease immediately. The contrast between both wicket-keepers was stark and undeniable.
Experts and Fans React Negatively
Consequently, fans and pundits near-unanimously proclaimed doom for Samson. They declared that the end is near ominously. This applies for the Kerala glovesmen’s international career specifically. The verdict came after India’s triumphant victory in the finale. India secured a triumphant 46-run win over New Zealand comfortably. Despite team success, Samson’s personal failure dominated discussions completely.
Expert Criticism to Follow
Finally, on that note, let us take a look ahead. We will examine the top five experts who criticized him. These analysts slammed Sanju Samson after yet another failure. His poor performance came in IND vs NZ 2026 5th T20I specifically. The criticism has been widespread across media platforms. Expert opinions reflect fan frustration with his continued struggles.
Indeed, Sanju Samson’s nightmarish series against New Zealand—managing just 46 runs at an average of 9.20 with a high score of 24, culminating in a run-a-ball 6 dismissal at his home ground in Thiruvananthapuram while competitor Ishan Kishan responded with a maiden T20I century—prompted fans and experts to near-unanimously proclaim the end is near for the Kerala wicket-keeper’s international career after India’s triumphant 46-run series-clinching victory.
#1 Irfan Pathan
Former All-Rounder Blames Selectors
First, the former all-rounder empathized with the wicket-keeper batter. He showed sympathy for Samson’s struggles recently and publicly. Moreover, he was claiming that the selectors should be blamed. Pathan believes the management deserves criticism for the misfortunes that occurred. These problems have unfolded in the recent past consistently. The selection decisions contributed to Samson’s downfall significantly.
However, he also stated that results matter ultimately. At the end of the day, runs matter most. Specifically, runs have not come from Samson lately. The runs haven’t flowed courtesy of a shaken mindset. His mental state has deteriorated under pressure clearly. Additionally, his struggles stem from faulty technique as well. Technical issues compound his mental problems currently.
Analysis of Samson’s Dual Problems
Subsequently, Pathan explained on his YouTube channel in detail:
“As for Sanju Samson, he hasn’t scored runs. A batter’s struggles due to two things. Firstly, a batter’s mindset is not in the right space and secondly due to technical faults. A batter who was not consistent but when he did, thrashed three centuries at the top and was asked to bat at the lower order due to some other player.”
Mental and Technical Issues Identified
Furthermore, Pathan added his assessment of the current situation:
“Samson is not looking mentally right and there are technical deficiencies too. No team will want an opener in their XI struggling for runs and is struggling with two things. The onus is on the selectors.”
Indeed, Irfan Pathan’s analysis blames the selectors for Sanju Samson’s struggles while acknowledging that the wicket-keeper hasn’t scored runs due to two critical issues—a mindset that’s “not in the right space” and technical faults—particularly after being moved from his successful opening position where he scored three centuries to the lower order, making him an opener “struggling with two things” that no team wants in their XI.
#2 K Srikkanth
No Way Back According to Former Selector
Second, the former India opener and selector shared harsh views. Krishnamachari Srikkanth remarked that there is no way back. He believes Samson’s international career is finished now. This applies for Sanju Samson after his string of failures. The recent failures have been too many consecutively. Additionally, Ishan Kishan’s rise of late matters significantly. Kishan’s performances have sealed Samson’s fate completely today.
Moreover, while he accepts that circumstances weren’t ideal always, Srikkanth acknowledged some difficulties Samson faced earlier. Specifically, Samson’s shift to the middle order affected him. This happened after Shubman Gill’s return to the team. The position change did not help his case at all. Batting lower disrupted his rhythm and confidence significantly.
Nevertheless, but at the same time feels that opportunities were plenty. Srikkanth believes he has been given more than enough chances. The management showed patience beyond reasonable limits with Samson. No other player would receive such extended opportunities.
Srikkanth’s Blunt Assessment
Subsequently, speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth was direct:
“Definitely, it’s sealed. It started when Archer kept bouncing him out last year. Nobody will get so many opportunities like this. They’ve given him a very long rope. Yes, they played around with his position a bit during the Asia Cup.”
Comparison with Kishan’s Success
Furthermore, Srikkanth continued his criticism by comparing both keepers:
“You have not scored at all and failed in 10 innings, opening the batting, and Ishan Kishan on the other hand is producing match-winning knocks where he puts the team in a different zone altogether. There is no comparison right now between the two.”
Indeed, K Srikkanth’s blunt assessment that “it’s sealed” for Sanju Samson following his failure in 10 opening innings, despite being given “a very long rope” by selectors and having his position adjusted during the Asia Cup, contrasts sharply with Ishan Kishan’s match-winning knocks that “put the team in a different zone altogether,” leading the former opener and selector to conclude there is “no comparison right now between the two” wicket-keepers.
#3 Aakash Chopra
World Cup Dreams Shattered
Third, the former India opener also feels similarly about Samson’s future. Aakash Chopra believes that Samson has run out of chances. The opportunities have been exhausted for the Kerala keeper. Moreover, he does not see him starting over Kishan. Specifically, this applies over the in-form Ishan Kishan currently. The comparison favors Kishan in the upcoming tournament clearly. This matters for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup selection.
Furthermore, he further stated that Samson’s technique looked poor. His batting appeared shaky during his brief stay recently. This happened at the crease in the fifth T20I specifically. The dismissal looked far from assuring for selectors watching. His approach inspires no confidence moving forward currently.
Chopra’s YouTube Analysis
Subsequently, speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra declared definitively:
“Unfortunately, Sanju Samson’s story is over for the time being. He went for the last World Cup as well, but didn’t play. He won’t start this World Cup either in the playing XI. This has been confirmed.”
Detailed Technical Breakdown
Additionally, elaborating on ESPN Cricinfo, Chopra analyzed Samson’s struggles:
“Yes (Samson is out of the World Cup playing XI). Of course, he has not scored the runs, and more importantly, he has not looked good in the middle. You could almost sense and feel that there is a pattern, where he goes deep inside the crease against the faster bowlers. Either it is the outside edge or the inside edge that got him a few runs, but he is looking completely out of sorts right now.”
Indeed, Aakash Chopra’s assessment that Sanju Samson’s “story is over for the time being” and confirmation that “he won’t start this World Cup either in the playing XI” stems from not just the lack of runs but more importantly how Samson “has not looked good in the middle,” with a noticeable pattern of going “deep inside the crease against faster bowlers” and relying on edges, making him look “completely out of sorts right now” compared to the in-form Ishan Kishan.
#4 R Ashwin
Confidence Crisis Identified
Fourth, the legendary former India spinner opined about Samson’s state. Ravichandran Ashwin shared his observations about the struggling keeper. Specifically, he stated that Samson looks completely out of confidence. This applies at this juncture in his career currently. The confidence crisis is visible to everyone watching him.
Moreover, Ashwin was remarking that he failed to manage expectations. Specifically, he failed to handle the pressure successfully at all. The pressure was piled on him with each failure. This happened in the series against New Zealand progressively. Each dismissal added more weight to his shoulders. The mounting pressure crushed him mentally and technically.
Ashwin’s Detailed Assessment
Subsequently, speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin expressed concern:
“Sanju looks like a man who is really low on confidence at this point. In international cricket, you have to find answers to things. It is also about how you handle pressure. For both these things, there has to be an answer from Sanju. This looks concerning.”
Indeed, R Ashwin’s observation that Sanju Samson “looks like a man who is really low on confidence” highlights the wicket-keeper’s failure to handle the mounting pressure that piled up with each successive failure in the series, with the legendary spinner noting that international cricket demands finding “answers to things” and managing pressure—two areas where Samson has not responded, making his current situation “concerning” for his career prospects.
#5 Shreevats Goswami
Former U-19 Winner’s Verdict
Finally, the former U-19 World Cup winner stated his opinion. Shreevats Goswami shared his thoughts on the wicket-keeper battle. Specifically, he declared that Samson did not make opportunities count. Samson squandered his chances repeatedly throughout the series. Moreover, as a result, Kishan will claim his spot. The position will go to Kishan in a deserved fashion. Kishan earned the role through consistent performances clearly.
Social Media Post Summarizes Situation
Subsequently, expressing his disappointment on X, Goswami posted:
“Sanju Samson is such a excellent player but unfortunately ruining his chances. Ishan Kishan has well and truly & deservedly cemented his place.”
Indeed, Shreevats Goswami’s assessment that Sanju Samson “is such an excellent player but unfortunately ruining his chances” while Ishan Kishan “has well and truly & deservedly cemented his place” captures the consensus among experts that despite Samson’s talent, his repeated failures have handed the wicket-keeper position to Kishan, who seized the opportunity with match-winning performances.
