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Sanju Samson's struggles continued after the disappointing Ireland tour, as the Indian wicketkeeper-batter once again failed to make an impact with the bat in the first T20I against England in Durham.
The India national cricket team was hoping for a better start to their five-match T20I series in England after suffering an embarrassing whitewash at the hands of Ireland in the recent two-match T20I series. Despite the shocker, they retained the same lineup for the England tour opener. Sanjay Manjrekar had already warned Sanju Samson of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi overlooked but Sanju Samson fails again
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was once again ignored for the India debut as they stick with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as the opening pair in Durham. They have been given continuous chances despite their inconsistent performances.
While Abhishek returned to his beast mode with the bat, Samson failed to deliver yet again in the five-match T20I series opener on Wednesday, July 1. India suffered an early blow after the Kerala star was dismissed for just 1 run off 7 balls by Saqib Mahmood in the second over.
England's fast bowler bowled a full delivery just outside the off stump, and Samson went for a powerful drive, but the ball came off the bat in the air instead of staying along the ground.
Sanju Samson's overseas T20I nightmare continues thanks to Saqib Mahmood, Tom Banton
Tom Banton, who was standing at backward point, showed brilliant reflexes as he dived to his right and completed a stunning two-handed catch. With this dismissal, Samson extended his poor run with the bat, registering his third consecutive single-digit score.
With this dismissal in Durham, Sanju Samson's horror run away from home continued in the T20I cricket. Apart from two stunning centuries, Samson has failed to cross single digits in eight of his last 10 away T20I innings, raising fresh questions over his consistency in overseas conditions.
In his last 10 away T20I innings, the wicketkeeper-batter has managed scores of 0, 0, 107, 0, 0, 109, 2, 5, 0, and 1. Amid this, Cheteshwar Pujara issues bold warning to Shreyas Iyer.
Here's how fans react to another Sanju Samson flop show:
🚨 Sanju Samson's failure run continues:
— Indian Cricket Ministry (@Tejashyyyyyy) July 1, 2026
Last 3 matches: 5, 0, 1
He played three heroic innings in the T20 World Cup, but now he is struggling in bilateral series.
He is definitely making things easier for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. I think he will get one more chance, and if he… pic.twitter.com/kKFtXPNPeW
Sanju samson aur ayyar jee par bhi prakash daliye. Shivam dube ki jagah vaibhav nahi khel sakta tha . Already 5 bowlers hain to kya problem hai. Lekin best coach aur best captain intejar kar rahe hain subh muhurat ka 😂😂😂
— Manish Singh (@ManishS66930874) July 1, 2026
Baba Sanju Samson 😎 pic.twitter.com/jBNAC3RGbk
— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) July 1, 2026
Now I am convinced Sanju Samson needs to be back in justice cycle and make a way immediately for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 🤞 https://t.co/2eSWT3ej52
— Kashif (@KashifNdmCric) July 1, 2026
Sanju Samson who gave India T20 WC only to see Bilateral bullies scoring again in Bilaterals 😭🤣 pic.twitter.com/WlrCRwoTTz
— Rahul Singh (@rahulsinggghhh) July 1, 2026
Sanju Samson remains the ultimate cricketing paradox—all the talent in the world, but the consistency just isn't showing up when it matters most. Another massive opportunity missed early on in Chester-le-Street. Frustrating for the fans who know exactly what he's capable of.…
— Asif khan 🦏 (@_asif) July 1, 2026
Justice For Sanju Samson pic.twitter.com/3wSRsDmRLJ
— भैया जी (@UpKaLadka32) July 1, 2026
Consistency and Sanju Samson are two parallel lines !! pic.twitter.com/ZmHldZt5or
— Navneet 🚩 (@MSDian067) July 1, 2026
Sanju Samson never performs in irrelevant matches. pic.twitter.com/8Zkjyq6JXG
— Johnson✪ (@Ivika21) July 1, 2026
India's top three should be Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Sanju Samson. Ishan Kishan can bat at No. 5, and I think India should leave out Tilak Varma.
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) July 1, 2026
In my view, persisting with Tilak Varma at No. 5 doesn't make much sense. I don't think that position gets the best…
Abhishek Sharma creates history with blazing six-hitting milestone
On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma scripted history during the first T20I against England. The Indian opener became the fastest batter among Full Member nations to complete 100 sixes in T20I cricket. Abhishek reached the landmark in just 785 balls, breaking the previous record held by Evin Lewis, who needed 789 balls.
Abhishek also became only the fifth Indian batter to hit 100 or more sixes in T20I cricket. He joined an elite club featuring Rohit Sharma (205 sixes), Suryakumar Yadav (179), Hardik Pandya (126), and Virat Kohli (124).
