Why Abhishek Sharma Should Be Given Sanju Samson Treatment For Poor T20I Performances

Abhishek Sharma has been going through a slump in T20Is [Source: AFP]

Abhishek Sharma might have a solid T20I strike rate in 2026, but the overall numbers are far from convincing. The opener has struggled for consistency and failed to deliver the goods in the T20 World Cup 2026, despite India winning the title.

He had an excellent 2024 and 2025 in the T20I format, and Abhishek was supposed to rule 2026 with his dazzling batting, but his flight never took off, with quality performances coming in bits and pieces.

The southpaw was expected to deliver the goods against Zimbabwe, but two matches into the series, he has yet to score 10 runs across the two combined innings. Hence, the big question arises: Should the Indian opener be given the same treatment that Sanju Samson received after failing on the UK tour?

What happened to Sanju Samson after three failures?

Samson entered the UK tour on the back of a stellar IPL 2026, and after winning the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup. However, the right-handed batter got a reality check as the Gautam Gambhir-led management decided to axe him from the playing XI.

He couldn’t score runs in the Ireland T20I series and also failed in the initial T20I game against England as Samson was replaced by debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

(Samson scores vs Ireland, England)

• Samson scored just 33 runs in four innings against Ireland and England, and couldn’t replicate the same form that he showed during the T20 World Cup and the IPL.
• He was dropped from the playing XI midway through the England series, but the batter was brought back into the XI for the final game of the series.
• This showcased India’s ruthless approach that even a World Cup winner, who had performed exceedingly well, could be dropped from the team if he failed to perform.

Why Abhishek could be next in line for a Sanju Samson treatment

The year 2026 has not been the best for Abhishek in terms of numbers and impact, and the team management might lose patience with him if he fails against Zimbabwe in the final T20I as well.

(Abhishek Sharma T20I stats in 2026)

• Abhishek has played 22 T20I games this year, and has scored just 512 runs,with an average of 24.38, and a strike rate of 187.55.

Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Breaks Historic Indian Record With Stunning 3/17 vs Zimbabwe

• Interestingly, he has registered six ducks in T20Is this year, and three of them came in the T20 World Cup 2026.
• Even in the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, he has slammed just 9 runs, with a strike rate of 56.25 as the hosts have found ways to dismiss him across both matches.

Samson produced better T20I numbers than Abhishek in 2026

Ironically, Samson has produced better T20I numbers in 2026, and yet, he found himself out of the playing XI and the team.

(Sanju Samson stats in 2026)

• There’s just a difference of 112 T20I runs between Abhishek and Samson in 2026, and the Kerala batter has played eight matches fewer.
• There is not too much difference in terms of strike rate, and Samson has been a big-match player, performing in the T20 World Cup to help India win the trophy, and finishing as the third highest run-getter.
• So, if a player with better numbers can be dropped, why can't the same thing happen with Abhishek, who has been going through a lean patch?

Conclusion

Sanju Samson has been India’s best T20I performer in 2026, and yet, he was dropped from the playing XI after a couple of failures. The Indian opener was adjudged the Player of the tournament in the World Cup, but the management showed ruthlessness and dropped him.

Hence, the third T20I between India and Zimbabwe should be a make-or-break for Abhishek, who himself has been going through a rough patch, and another failure could result in him getting the Sanju Samson treatment.

Also Read: Ishan Kishan Reveals Plan To Protect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi From Social Media