For nearly a decade, Sanju Samson has lived in Indian cricket’s most exclusive waiting room, always talented, often discussed, rarely settled. When the selectors finally nailed him down as Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner for the T20 World Cup, it felt like closure. A role is defined. A skillset trusted. The debate temporarily ended.
And yet, cricket loves irony. Less than two weeks before India’s World Cup opener, Samson finds himself under the microscope again. India has steamrolled a five-match series 3–0, piling up PowerPlay carnage and middle-order dominance. But the man meant to anchor the top? Largely a bystander.
Selectors Choose Fit Over Fame
Ajit Agarkar’s explanation for Shubman Gill’s omission was revealing. This wasn’t about form alone; it was about combinations. India wanted an opener who doubles as a wicketkeeper, freeing up balance elsewhere. Samson, not Gill, solved that puzzle.
Ironically, this choice was also a correction. In 2024, Samson thrived opening alongside Abhishek. The pair survived three series before the Asia Cup reset everything. Gill returned from Tests, Samson slid down the order, and suddenly his skillset looked redundant next to Jitesh Sharma’s finishing muscle.
World Cup planning, however, flipped the logic again. Gill’s returns dipped. Samson’s top-order pedigree, built on explosive centuries, reclaimed value. Selection, once again, followed intent.
The Technical Drift Behind the Slump
Ajinkya Rahane’s on-air diagnosis was refreshingly blunt. Samson, he noted, is going “too deep” in his crease upright, back and across, not leaning into the ball. The result? Mishits toward mid-on and square leg. Early dismissals. Lost tempo.
In T20s, technique isn’t about textbook balance; it’s about efficiency. The best openers simplify movement under pressure. Samson, right now, looks caught between instincts: wanting time, needing immediacy. That half-beat of indecision is lethal in the PowerPlay.
Past Explosions Still Buy Credit
This isn’t a talent debate. Samson’s 2024 run remains fresh in the collective memory: 111 off 47 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. 109 off 56 in Johannesburg. Those weren’t cameos, they were structural innings built on intent and control.
That version of Samson beat Gill in the selection race because he offered both volume and velocity. The question now isn’t whether he can do it. It’s how long selectors allow memory to outweigh momentum.
Ishan Kishan’s Timing Complicates Everything
Enter Ishan Kishan, stage left, swinging. His SMAT title-winning form wasn’t accidental, and his recent PowerPlay assaults in Raipur and Guwahati were impossible to ignore. A 94/2 PowerPlay alongside Abhishek is not background noise; it’s a statement.
Officially, Kishan is covered. Unofficially, he’s become a de facto opener, walking in after two overs, one over, sometimes two balls. That’s not backup usage; that’s parallel auditioning.
Tilak Varma Forces a Domino Effect
Tilak Varma’s return on January 28 simplifies one problem and intensifies another. As the world’s third-ranked T20I batter, he walks straight back into No.3. That locks the middle order.
Which leaves India staring at an uncomfortable truth: one opener out of form, another in red-hot touch, and a World Cup clock that doesn’t pause for loyalty.
The management believes form can turn quickly, just as it did for Suryakumar in three days. If Samson finds his lean-forward trigger and reclaims PowerPlay authority, this debate dissolves. If not, Kishan’s shadow grows longer with every clean swing.
Key Takeaway
India’s dilemma isn’t about talent, it’s about timing.
FAQs
What makes Samson’s opening role so critical?
It balances wicketkeeping, PowerPlay intent, and top-order structure in one slot.
Why is Ishan Kishan suddenly relevant again?
His SMAT form and fearless PowerPlay intent align perfectly with India’s current T20 blueprint.
How much time does Samson realistically have?
Two games. In T20 cricket, that’s an eternity and a warning at the same time.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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