Sanju Samson faces heavy backlash [Source: X]Thiruvananthapuram had to witness a disappointing plot as India’s wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson endured a poor run in the New Zealand T20I series. Just weeks ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, Sanju Samson has been in disastrous form. The final T20I on January 31 proved to be the last straw for the 31-year-old ahead of India’s opening match against the USA on February 7. Samson was dismissed for just six runs in the fifth T20I against New Zealand. Coming off a disappointing series in which he averaged just 9.20 from five matches, his returns included a golden duck, two single-digit scores, and a 15-ball 24 in the fourth T20I that briefly rescued his numbers. Sanju Samson fails to deliver despite mega faith from team India Although Thiruvananthapuram, which hosted the fifth and final T20I of the New Zealand series, celebrated Samson with enthusiastic support, the batter failed to justify the faith of the home crowd. Notably, India made three changes to the playing eleven, with Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy coming in, while Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav were left out for the final T20I. Netizens troll Samson’s poor performance However, Sanju Samson retained his place in the playing eleven but failed to repay the faith shown by the team management. Beyond the New Zealand series setback, this has also cast a cloud of uncertainty over his prospects for the mega ICC tournament. With Tilak Varma close to returning to the squad, the number three position remains uncertain, with Ishan Kishan also eyeing the spot. After Sanju Samson’s poor showing in the final T20I, the opening position could now be handed to Kishan, who is a proven opener despite batting at number three in the New Zealand series. As a result, Samson could face exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad, a prospect that has worried fans. Netizens slammed Samson’s poor run of performances in the New Zealand series, trolling him and raising concerns over a potential T20 World Cup snub. Here’s a look at how fans reacted to Samson’s omission fears:Anish Arya @Anish_Aryaa @SushantNMehta Sanju samson ka ghee khatam ho gya bhai 🥺 Sagar @sagarcasm Gautam Gambhir watching Sanju Samson Jan 31, 2026, 7:14 PM LeLi Slayer @radicalsravager Okay just curious but how many more chances will Sanju Samson get to be in the team.? We have got Shreyas Iyer sitting in the pavilion and the World Cup is also coming.! #SanjuSamson #INDvsNZ #NZvsIND King @PAWAR_KING_ @GaurangBhardwa1 Sanju Samson Is The Biggest Fraud Cricketer Of This Indian Team 😡😡 #INDvNZ Siddhant Jain @Siddhant_J5656 Sanju has disappointed his fans big big time now. Dont think he will get support like this for too long. Ashish Bisht @FantasyDoctor1 🚨😱This ball is the Final Nail in the Coffin for Sanju Samson for T20 Worldcup Spot. 🗣️🫴He Failed on his home Ground 🫣 #indvsnz #indvsnz5tht20 #indvsnzt20 #T20WorldCup2026 #SanjuSamson #abhisheksharma #lockieferguson Jan 31, 2026, 7:31 PM Akash @klrvikash Let's laugh on those who thought Sanju Samson will also score at his home. Jan 31, 2026, 7:31 PM Vivek Randive @Randive7Vivek @mufaddal_vohra Sadly but Sanju now makes way for In form Ishan . Sanju should remain as a backup opener now as he has been named in the world cup squad. Sachin @sachin_insiders Sanju has wasted this opportunity and it will be difficult for the management to play him in the world cup.I think Kishan will start with Abhishek. #INDvsNZ SportsVize @sportsvize Sanju Samson again looks lost in this match and the whole series, he departs for 6 and he will have a tough times ahead going into World Cup. Abhishek Sharma also departed for a cameo 30 runs further India are 54 for 2 after 6 overs. #INDvsNZ Samson failed to convert successDespite enjoying a strong run ahead of the New Zealand series, scoring a century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and averaging 58.25 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Samson failed to carry that form into the series that mattered most. Nevertheless, time is running out for the batter, with India set to next take the field against the USA in their opening group-stage match. India in trouble after losing both openers As of now, India are in trouble after losing two wickets inside the powerplay, with Ishan Kishan and skipper Suryakumar Yadav currently holding the fort at the crease. The lineup to follow includes Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, offering plenty of firepower. However, losing early wickets on a batting-friendly pitch is never a good sign. For the unaware, Lockie Ferguson, who made a comeback to the national setup after almost a year, picked up both wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson to silence the Indian crowd at the Greenfield International Stadium, as New Zealand made a solid start.
