Sanju Samson in T20Is. [Source - AFP]Sanju Samson's 82 off 41 balls in the previous game offered hope of finding some consistency. However, he managed just three runs against West Indies in the third T20I in Indore, once again failing to build on a promising knock.The latest setback brings his inconsistency back into focus, raising serious questions about India's continued faith in him. With talent but limited consistency, how much longer can Samson expect the team management to persist with him?Sanju Samson’s Numbers Expose a Troubling Pattern of InconsistencySanju Samson is one of the most talented Indian batters in white-ball cricket in recent years, but a worrying pattern of inconsistency continues to raise questions about how long India should persist with him. Since the end of the 2024 T20 World Cup, Samson has batted 40 times in the top-order in T20Is and despite his ability to single-handedly win matches on his day, his numbers reveal a concerning trend.The statistics paint a worrying picture:18 single-digit dismissals in 40 top-order innings since 2024.258 runs at an average of 25.8 across his last 10 T20I innings.Three half-centuries in his last 10 innings.ALSO READSuryakumar Yadav Dismissed For 17 Runs On His T20 Comeback MatchSamson has scored 1,143 runs at the top of the order for India at a strike-rate of nearly 172 since 2024. However, 18 single-digit dismissals in 40 innings mean he has failed to cross the 10-run mark almost half the time.Even in 2026, arguably his best year in international cricket, Samson's last 10 T20I innings have yielded 258 runs at an average of 25.8, despite three half-centuries, underlining his inconsistency.This inconsistency is not limited to international cricket, with Samson showing similar patterns in the IPL over the years. Despite his match-winning potential, he needs to translate his talent into more consistent performances.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Rise Leaves Sanju Samson With Little Room for ErrorVaibhav Sooryavanshi’s emergence has added another dimension to the debate. The 15-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough IPL 2026 season before making his India debut, where he has already scored two half-centuries at a strike rate of 186.36.Samson, meanwhile, played an instrumental role in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup triumph. However, with his 32nd birthday approaching, his past contributions cannot indefinitely overshadow his inconsistency. Sooryavanshi’s rise has given India another exciting option to consider.Looking ahead, India must prepare for the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, followed by the Los Angeles Olympics. With different conditions expected, the management must assess how long it can persist with Samson despite his recurring inconsistency.ALSO READAbhishek Sharma Becomes Fastest Batter To Breach 2000 Run-Mark In T20Is, Surpasses Suryakumar Yadav
