Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Sanju Samson Answers Critics With Explosive Afghanistan Fifty
Sanju Samson plays cricket for India.
He scored 57 runs from only 22 balls against Afghanistan.
The match was the second T20I and took place in Delhi.
Samson started slowly but then hit many fours and sixes.
He made the fastest T20I half-century of his career.
He was eventually dismissed while trying to hit Rashid Khan for six.
Samson had been criticized after scoring only 10 runs in the first match.
Former India players said people should not judge him too quickly.
His performance reduced questions about whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should replace him.
Sanju Samson scored 57 runs from 22 balls in India’s second T20I against Afghanistan.
His innings included seven fours, four sixes and the fastest T20I half-century of his career.
Samson began with eight runs from 10 balls before attacking Mohammad Nabi and Afghanistan’s seamers.
He was dismissed while attempting another maximum against leg-spinner Rashid Khan.
Former India players defended Samson, saying he was being judged too hastily amid debate over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s selection.
- Who
- Sanju Samson for India, with Afghanistan as the opponent; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was part of the selection debate.
- What
- Samson scored 57 off 22 balls, including seven fours, four sixes and his fastest T20I half-century.
- When
- Tuesday, in the second T20I of the series.
- Where
- Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
- Why
- Samson was under pressure after a poor first match and earlier struggles on the Ireland and England tour, while his place was being compared with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s selection.
Selection Critics
Samson Supporters
Place in the playing XI
Selection Critics
Samson’s poor first match and his 33 runs in four innings during the Ireland and England tour prompted questions about his place, especially with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the squad.
Samson Supporters
Former India players said people were judging Samson too hastily, while his 57-run innings answered many concerns about his selection.
Comparison with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Selection Critics
Supporters of a change could point to Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the squad and his later strong performances during the Zimbabwe series.
Samson Supporters
Samson’s explosive innings reduced calls for the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi to replace him in the playing XI.
- Player
- Sanju Samson
- Performance
- 57 runs from 22 balls
- Boundaries
- Seven fours and four sixes
- Match
- Second T20I between India and Afghanistan
- Venue
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Career milestone
- Fastest T20I half-century of Samson’s career
- Selection debate
- Former India players backed Samson amid calls to consider Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
