Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Samson, Sooryavanshi Show Contrasting Starts After Six T20Is
Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi both reached six international T20 cricket appearances.
They did so at very different points in their careers.
Samson’s first six matches were spread across more than five years.
Sooryavanshi played his first six matches in just over three weeks.
Sooryavanshi scored 193 runs, while Samson scored 73.
Sooryavanshi also hit two half-centuries, including an 81.
Samson’s highest score in those matches was 23.
The comparison is not perfectly equal because they played in different periods and batting positions.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 193 runs in his first six T20I innings, compared with Sanju Samson’s 73.
Sooryavanshi averaged 32.17 at a strike rate of 189.21, while Samson averaged 12.16 at approximately 119.67.
Sooryavanshi recorded scores of 14, 13, 15, 50, 20 and 81, including two half-centuries.
Samson’s first six scores were 19, 6, 8, 2, 23 and 15, with no half-century.
Sooryavanshi’s six matches came in July 2026, while Samson’s spanned 2015 to 2020 and involved a different batting role.
- Who
- Indian batters Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi; India captain Shreyas Iyer is also involved in the possible team-selection decision.
- What
- A statistical comparison of both players’ performances in their first six T20I innings, alongside speculation that Sooryavanshi could replace Samson.
- When
- Samson’s six matches ran from 2015 to 2020; Sooryavanshi completed his six T20Is in July 2026. The possible change was discussed before the third T20I.
- Where
- For India in T20I matches against Zimbabwe, England and other listed opponents.
- Why
- To compare their early international records and assess whether Sooryavanshi could receive an opportunity in the third Afghanistan T20I.
- Sooryavanshi’s runs
- 193 runs in six innings
- Samson’s runs
- 73 runs in six innings
- Sooryavanshi’s average and strike rate
- 32.17 average; 189.21 strike rate
- Samson’s average and strike rate
- 12.16 average; approximately 119.67 strike rate
- Sooryavanshi’s boundaries
- 16 fours and 14 sixes
- Samson’s boundaries
- Three fours and four sixes
- Highest scores
- Sooryavanshi: 81; Samson: 23
- Selection possibility
- Shreyas Iyer indicated that players who had not played against Afghanistan could be considered for the third T20I.