The followers of the India Nationwide Cricket Crew quietly carry goals, which they may not say out loud at occasions, with the intention to make sure that these goals are fulfilled and don’t get struck by a curse or get jinxed.
Sanju Samson standing in the course of the pitch within the T20 World Cup 2026 last, not as a promise, not as potential, however because the Hero of the Match, is among the goals of the followers as India put together to enter the marquee event.
On this article, we don’t predict; as an alternative, we dream. We manifest a narrative that Indian cricket followers, or at the very least Sanju Samson followers, have imagined at the very least as soon as.
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Sanju Samson and the “Inconsistency”
The Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has been round worldwide cricket for over a decade, however his story has been about pauses, what-ifs, and moments that by no means absolutely arrived.
If there’s one phrase that may adequately describe his journey, it’s “inconsistency.” Whether or not it’s inconsistency in choice or inconsistency in efficiency, Sanju Samson has seen all of it.
For years, Samson did an intense grind within the Indian Premier League (IPL) and home cricket, and he gained a popularity for being a particularly proficient batter. Nevertheless, even after having all of the expertise on the earth and getting well-deserved consideration, he was by no means thought of adequate for an extended rope.
He made his T20I debut in 2015 however has solely performed 55 T20I matches, by which he has scored 1048 runs at a mean of 24.37 and a strike price of 147.60. The correct-handed batter has smashed three centuries and three fifties in T20I cricket up to now.
Samson by no means bought a constant run within the Indian workforce, whether or not it’s within the T20I or ODI format. Nevertheless, the primary cause behind his non-selection was principally the superior efficiency of different wicketkeeper-batsmen and his personal lack of kind.
In ODI cricket, Sanju Samson has performed 16 matches for India and scored 510 runs at a mean of 56.66 and a strike price of 99.60. His final ODI outing got here in 2023 in opposition to South Africa, and even after scoring a ton in that match, he hasn’t been chosen within the taking part in XI since.
In the meantime, the foremost twist in Samson’s profession got here when Gautam Gambhir grew to become the India head coach and supplied him with a constant run of alternatives as an opener in T20Is.
Samson repaid the religion of the pinnacle coach and smashed three centuries as an opener to seal the spot on the high of the order. Nevertheless, a horrible run within the T20I sequence in opposition to England at dwelling in 2025 noticed the workforce administration lose religion in him.
Sanju Samson struggled badly in opposition to quick balls, and after that sequence, he was floated across the Indian batting order within the Asia Cup 2025 earlier than finally being dropped.
Nevertheless, he bought a brand new life when Shubman Gill didn’t carry out as an opener in T20I cricket and was axed simply earlier than the T20 World Cup 2026. This transfer led to Sanju Samson as soon as once more getting again his opening spot.
It was anticipated that the Kerala famous person would as soon as once more showcase sheer dominance as an opener, however that has not been the case up to now, and simply forward of the T20 World Cup 2026, he’s struggling.
Samson’s depressing run has come at a time when the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan is making a sensational comeback to the Indian workforce and threatening to take his place as an opener.
Sanju Samson’s T20I Profession (Innings by Innings):
| Match Date | Runs |
| 19-Jul-15 | 19 |
| 10-Jan-20 | 6 |
| 31-Jan-20 | 8 |
| 02-Feb-20 | 2 |
| 04-Dec-20 | 23 |
| 06-Dec-20 | 15 |
| 08-Dec-20 | 10 |
| 25-Jul-21 | 27 |
| 28-Jul-21 | 7 |
| 29-Jul-21 | 0 |
| 24-Feb-22 | DNB |
| 26-Feb-22 | 39 |
| 27-Feb-22 | 18 |
| 28-Jun-22 | 77 |
| 06-Aug-22 | 30* |
| 07-Aug-22 | 15 |
| 03-Jan-23 | 5 |
| 03-Aug-23 | 12 |
| 06-Aug-23 | 7 |
| 08-Aug-23 | DNB |
| 12-Aug-23 | DNB |
| 13-Aug-23 | 13 |
| 18-Aug-23 | 1* |
| 20-Aug-23 | 40 |
| 17-Jan-24 | 0 |
| 10-Jul-24 | 12* |
| 13-Jul-24 | DNB |
| 14-Jul-24 | 58 |
| 28-Jul-24 | 0 |
| 30-Jul-24 | 0 |
| 06-Oct-24 | 29 |
| 09-Oct-24 | 10 |
| 12-Oct-24 | 111 |
| 08-Nov-24 | 107 |
| 10-Nov-24 | 0 |
| 13-Nov-24 | 0 |
| 15-Nov-24 | 109* |
| 22-Jan-25 | 26 |
| 25-Jan-25 | 5 |
| 28-Jan-25 | 3 |
| 31-Jan-25 | 1 |
| 02-Feb-25 | 16 |
| 10-Sep-25 | DNB |
| 14-Sep-25 | DNB |
| 19-Sep-25 | 56 |
| 21-Sep-25 | 13 |
| 24-Sep-25 | DNB |
| 26-Sep-25 | 39 |
| 28-Sep-25 | 24 |
| 29-Oct-25 | DNB |
| 31-Oct-25 | 2 |
| 19-Dec-25 | 37 |
| 21-Jan-26 | 10 |
| 23-Jan-26 | 6 |
| 25-Jan-26 | 0 |
A Dream The place Sanju Samson Wins India the T20 World Cup 2026
So, who’s prepared for story time with this writer, Bay Bay? (Adam Cole reference).
The horrible run of Samson within the five-match T20I sequence in opposition to the BlackCaps sees the Gautam Gambhir-led workforce administration lastly lose persistence and kind a brand new opening pair for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Abhishek Sharma walks out to open the innings in opposition to the USA on Saturday, February 7, with Ishan Kishan and never Sanju Samson. This sees Suryakumar Yadav batting at No. 3 completely and a returning Tilak Varma batting on the No. 4 spot.
With a lethal batting unit and a robust bowling unit, India show unbelievable dominance and crush the USA, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands within the group stage.
The motion strikes to the Tremendous Eights, and Ishan Kishan, who was going all weapons blazing, fails in a few matches, resulting in calls for for Sanju Samson’s return to the taking part in XI.
Nevertheless, Ishan Kishan fires again with back-to-back sensational knocks in India’s final Tremendous Eight match in addition to the semi-final in opposition to Australia. The knock within the semi-final comes at a value, as Kishan is hobbling all through the innings with a niggle.
On the day of the ultimate in opposition to South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav proclaims Sanju Samson’s return to the taking part in XI on the final second on account of Ishan Kishan’s niggle.
Sanju Samson does an excellent job behind the stumps within the first innings earlier than stepping onto the sphere whereas chasing 174 in opposition to a robust Proteas assault. He seems scratchy within the center however one way or the other stays on the crease regardless of Abhishek Sharma falling early.
He receives good help from his skipper, and Samson lastly breaches the fifty-run mark. However that’s not it – future has greater plans for Sanju Samson. An enormous LBW shout follows within the nineteenth over; it seems plumb, however the on-field umpire says no. South Africa take the assessment, and the third umpire is named in.
Someway, Samson escapes dismissal as a result of umpire’s name, and the match enters the ultimate over with India needing 6 runs off the final 3 balls. Kagiso Rabada launches a fiery quick ball to Samson, however this time, he’s ready.
Samson performs essentially the most helpful pull shot of his life, and the ball sails for a surprising six as India seal the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy. On commentary, it’s Ravi Shastri as soon as once more repeating his iconic traces, however this time, the wicketkeeper-batsman isn’t MS Dhoni: “It’s Sanju, who finishes off in fashion! An impressive strike into the group! India elevate the T20 World Cup!”
Additionally Learn: Sanju Samson to play for West Indies in T20 World Cup? Daren Sammy makes a hilarious goof-up
