Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Sanju Samson's T20I Struggles Continue
Sanju Samson, an Indian cricketer, is having a tough time in T20I matches.
He has been struggling to score runs and has been dismissed quickly in his last few games.
Experts say he has problems with his batting technique and mental clarity.
He doesn't adjust his bat-speed well against different bowling speeds, and the pressure of competing for his spot is affecting his performance.
He has not done well against fast bowlers, and his average score has been very low.
The team management is considering other players for his position.
His last good performance was a half-century against Australia a while ago.
It's unclear if he will play in the last game of the current series, which is in his hometown.
Sanju Samson has scored poorly in recent series with scores of 10, 6, and 0 against New Zealand.
His average since January 2025 is 17 in 14 outings with a strike rate of 126.59.
He has struggled against pace bowlers, with very low averages against teams like New Zealand and England.
The team management is considering replacing him with players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer.
His last significant performance was a half-century against Australia in December 2023.
- Who
- Sanju Samson, Indian cricketer
- What
- Struggles with form and consistency in T20I matches
- When
- Recent series against New Zealand and since January 2025
- Where
- Various international matches, including against New Zealand, England, Australia, and West Indies
- Why
- Technical issues with bat-speed and mental pressure from competition for his spot
Technical Issues
Mental Pressure
Batting Technique
Technical Issues
Samson's bat-speed on the downswing is not adjusting to different bowling speeds, causing issues against both fast and slower bowlers.
Mental Pressure
Samson's mental clarity and confidence are affected by the pressure of competition for the wicketkeeper-batter's slot in white-ball cricket.
Batting Position
Technical Issues
Samson is better suited to batting in the top three and should not have issues adapting to different positions.
Mental Pressure
The pressure of performing and the competition for his spot are affecting his mental state and performance.
Solution
Technical Issues
Adjusting bat-speed according to the pace of the ball and practicing more on the on-side to improve weaker areas.
Mental Pressure
Managing mental pressure better and gaining clarity to perform consistently.
- Player
- Sanju Samson
- Recent Series Performance
- Scores of 10, 6, and 0 against New Zealand
- Career T20I Stats
- 1048 runs in 55 matches, strike rate of 147, three fifties, three hundreds
- Strike Rate Variations
- 131 against Australia, 118 against England, 113 against New Zealand
- Potential Replacements
- Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma
- Expert Analysis
- WV Raman and Zubin Bharucha on technical and mental aspects
- Last Significant Performance
- Half-century against Australia in December 2023
- Current Batting Position
- Mostly at No. 5
Sources
Sanju Samson has nowhere to hide: Mental fragility, flaws against pace leaves his international career on the brink
Tilak Varma Returns Fit, Ishan Kishan Firing: Why Sanju Samson Could Lose T20 World Cup Spot
Decoded: Why Sanju Samson keeps slipping in T20Is
‘Game was over in single over’: R Ashwin on Ishan Kishan’s ‘audacity’
