'Yashasvi Jaiswal is exceptional': Sanju Samson in big trouble as Pakistan clash twist looms

Pressure is exploding around the Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson after another shocking failure in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. India may have won the match against Namibia in Delhi, but Sanju Samson’s another flop show has created fresh tension inside the camp.

Another failure puts Sanju Samson under massive pressure

The Kerala star got his chance only because Abhishek Sharma fell sick before India’s second Group A match with Namibia on February 12. It looked like a golden opportunity for Sanju, and even he started with fire, smashing three huge sixes and a four. The Delhi crowd got excited.

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But the fireworks were short as Samson threw his wicket away for 22 runs from just 8 balls. One mistimed shot, and now the heat is on as he failed to convert a good start into a big score yet again. After the Oman game, the former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara showed clear disappointment over Samson’s repeated failures.

Cheteshwar Pujara is frustrated with Samson

Pujara has pointed out that the Men in Blue have too many strong options waiting outside, like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Both are young, hungry, and in strong form. That makes Samson’s spot on the side even more risky.

Cheteshwar Pujara was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo, "He's getting enough opportunities, and, in India, you don't get enough opportunities. That's why I feel that he needs to make it count. He needs to score when he gets the opportunity.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is also an exceptional talent. He is not part of the Indian team at the moment. Shubman Gill is again not part of the T20 squad. So, there are plenty of options in India.”

Samson's T20I numbers

Samson made his T20I debut way back in 2015. More than 10 years have passed. But his numbers still raise questions. In 58 matches, he has scored 1,100 runs at an average below 24.

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The right-handed batter’s strike rate of nearly 149 is good, but consistency is the main issue in the T20I cricket. He has three centuries and three fifties to his name in the format.

Will India drop Sanju Samson for the Pakistan showdown?

Now all eyes are on India’s big clash against Pakistan in Colombo. If Abhishek Sharma recovers from his stomach problem, Sanju Samson is all but sure to lose his place immediately, and even if the explosive opener is not fit, team management must be exploring other plans.

The Colombo pitch is expected to help spinners. Given that, the defending champions may go with three spinners against Pakistan. Kuldeep Yadav will be the first pick for the conditions, and then they also have Washington Sundar for the high-voltage Group A game against the archrivals.

If India goes with extra spin in Colombo, one batter may have to sit out, and it could be Sanju Samson, considering how many opportunities he wasted, and the defending champions cannot afford weak links in such a high-pressure and big game when all eyes will be on them.