Archive · 30 Jan 2026
India vs New Zealand: Samson's Struggles and Kishan's Return
Sanju Samson, a cricket player, has not been doing well in recent matches against New Zealand.
He has only scored 40 runs in four games.
Ravichandran Ashwin, a former cricket player, thinks Samson is under a lot of pressure and needs to take a break to get better.
Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan has been doing really well.
He scored 76 runs in just 32 balls in one of the matches.
Parthiv Patel, another former cricket player, suggests that India should play Ishan Kishan instead of Sanju Samson in the next match.
Ishan has been in great form and needs practice keeping wickets for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Another player, Tilak Varma, is expected to be fit for the World Cup and might bat at number 3.
So, the team should start preparing now by playing Ishan Kishan in the next match.
The match will be played at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, January 31st at 7:00 PM IST.
You can watch it on Star Sports Network or JioHotstar.
Sanju Samson has scored only 40 runs in four matches against New Zealand, struggling with his performance.
Ravichandran Ashwin suggests Samson is under mental pressure and needs a break to improve.
Ishan Kishan has been in great form, scoring 76 runs off 32 balls in the second T20I and 517 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Parthiv Patel recommends playing Ishan Kishan as the wicketkeeper-batter in the fifth T20I against New Zealand.
The fifth T20I match will be held at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, January 31st at 7:00 PM IST.
- Who
- Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Ravichandran Ashwin
- What
- Debate over wicketkeeper-batter for India's T20 World Cup team
- When
- Upcoming fifth T20I against New Zealand on Saturday, Jan 31, 7:00 PM IST
- Where
- Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, India
- Why
- Sanju Samson's poor performance and Ishan Kishan's recent good form
Sanju Samson's Struggles
Ishan Kishan's Form
Performance
Sanju Samson's Struggles
Sanju Samson has scored only 40 runs in four matches against New Zealand, struggling with picking the right line and length due to mental pressure.
Ishan Kishan's Form
Ishan Kishan has been in great form, scoring 76 runs off 32 balls in the second T20I and 517 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Technical Approach
Sanju Samson's Struggles
Samson lacks back-and-across movement, making him vulnerable to bowling on the middle and leg.
Ishan Kishan's Form
Kishan's form and adaptability make him a strong candidate for the wicketkeeper-batter role.
- Player
- Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan
- Recent Performance
- Samson: 40 runs in four matches; Kishan: 76 runs off 32 balls in second T20I
- Former Cricketer's Insight
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Upcoming Match
- Fifth T20I against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram
- Kishan's Domestic Performance
- 517 runs in 10 SMAT matches
- Ashwin's Advice
- Samson should take a break and reflect to improve his performance
- Tilak Varma's Expected Role
- Batting at No. 3 in T20 World Cup
- Match Details
- Saturday, Jan 31, 7:00 PM IST, Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
- Where to Watch
- Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming
Sources
'Ishan Kishan should be India's wicketkeeper in T20 World Cup'
Suryakumar Yadav Advised Not To Change His Batting Position In T20 World Cup: he is more suited to that position
‘When your mind is clouded with a lot of thoughts, it gets tough’: Ashwin pinpoints mental pressure behind Sanju Samson’s lean run
‘He has had four chances in this series…I can accept failure in one or two matches, but not in three or four’: Yuzvendra Chahal on Sanju Samson
'Don't Disturb Chetta': Suryakumar Yadav Teases Sanju Samson As Team Arrives In Trivandrum; CSK Shares Viral VIDEO
5th T20I: Samson’s form, Axar’s fitness concerns for India in series finale against NZ
5th T20I: Samson under spotlight as India targets series finale win vs New Zealand
India vs New Zealand 5th T20: Date, Time, Venue, Squad, Playing XI Prediction, Head-to-Head Records, and Other Details
All eyes on local lad Samson as India look to wrap up series against New Zealand in style
