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The India National Cricket Team suffered the double early blow in the fifth and final T20I against the New Zealand National Cricket Team as the opening batters Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma failed to make an impact at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday (October 1).
New Zealand’s fast bowler Adam Milne put India under pressure early by dismissing both opening batters in Hamilton. The disappointing performances raised questions about India's batting combination, especially with young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi warming the bench.
Adam Milne destroys Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson
New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne gave his team the perfect start by removing Abhishek Sharma on the very first ball of his spell. Abhishek tried to play an attacking lofted shot against Milne. He moved slightly away from the ball to create space but failed to hit it properly.
The ball struck the bottom part of his bat and went high into the air. Daryl Mitchell, who was fielding at mid-on, moved backwards, positioned himself under the ball, and took a stunning catch at mid-on.
It was a massive blow to India as Abhishek managed just one run from two balls in the ongoing fifth and final T20I against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Earlier, "My job is not to make everyone happy": Gautam Gambhir's blunt message on team selection.
🔥 पहली ही गेंद पर Abhishek Sharma आउट! 🏏 आज Abhishek को आराम देकर Vaibhav Sooryavanshi को मौका मिलना चाहिए था!🇮🇳 🏏 #INDvNZ #INDvsNZ https://t.co/xGTjx5zSUO
— Deepak Meena (@Iamdeep0408) November 1, 2026
Michael Bracewell takes stunning catch to dismiss Sanju Samson
Adam Milne then struck again by dismissing Sanju Samson for just four runs in Hamilton. The right-handed batter tried to flick Milne's full delivery outside the leg stump towards the leg side, but the ball got a thick leading edge and went high into the air towards the extra-cover region.
Michael Bracewell, who was fielding at extra cover, moved backwards and took an excellent catch while falling to the ground. Samson was dismissed for just four runs off 10 balls.
fir ek baar sanju samson huye out 4 run banakar, 2160p50fps! #NZvsIND https://t.co/660Y965QI8
— 𝙋𝙍𝙀𝙈𝙄𝙐𝙈 𝘾𝙇𝙄𝙋𝙎 (@CricXDrive) November 1, 2026
Sanju Samson's struggles outside India continue
Samson's latest failure has once again exposed his poor numbers outside India in the T20I cricket. Since India's South Africa tour in 2024, he has batted 17 times in T20Is outside the country.
During this period, Samson has scored at an average of just 17.17 and a strike rate of 126.40. He has managed only two 50+ scores, which shows his struggle to deliver consistently in overseas conditions.
His performance against New Zealand was particularly disappointing, as he edged or missed six deliveries during his 10-ball stay at the crease in the ongoing fourth T20I against New Zealand. The wicketkeeper-batter could manage only 107 runs across five innings on the tour. Earlier, Ishan Kishan creates history, becomes India's highest T20I run-scorer in a calendar year.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains on the Bench
Well, it was the absence of young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from India's playing XI for the final T20I game on the New Zealand tour. The left-hander continued to warm the bench after playing in the third game and played a key role in India’s series, clinching victory over the Black Caps.
With both openers failing to provide a good start, questions were raised about India's decision to keep Sooryavanshi out of the team. However, the Indian head coach Gautam Gabhiir had earlier stressed that they will give security to the consistent performers, irrespective of a few poor numbers.
