“Fraud cricketer…”: Netizens fume as Sanju Samson flops ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Fans react to Sanju Samson after flop show in 1st T20I vs NZ [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x]

Sanju Samson continued to open the innings for Team India in the first T20I of their five-match series against New Zealand. The cricketer had recently replaced Shubman Gill in the batting order, after the T20I vice-captain was excluded from India’s plans for the home series against New Zealand and from the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next month.

While Sanju Samson made his return at the top with a blistering 22-ball 37 against South Africa in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium last month, the attacking wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed for just 10 off seven balls with two boundaries against New Zealand on Wednesday, January 21. Opening the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma, Samson got holed out by Rachin Ravindra off Kyle Jamieson in just the second over of the match.

As one can expect, Sanju Samson’s latest failure with the bat sparked a wave of some strong reactions from Indian cricket fans, particularly that of Shubman Gill, on social media. While several fans criticised the Indian opener for not making the most of his opportunity, others questioned India’s sudden selection tactics and changes in the batting order just weeks before the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at home.

Fans troll Sanju Samson as India opener flops against NZ in first T20I

Sanju Samson scored just 10 off seven balls in his second game as India opener since the exclusion of Shubman Gill from the playing XI last month. Facing New Zealand in the series-opening first T20I match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, the attacking right-handed batter was dismissed by New Zealand’s lanky new ball paceman Kyle Jamieson in just the second over.

After his dismissal, several Indian cricket and Shubman Gill fans flocked to social media and criticized Sanju Samson for his apparent inconsistency and questionable shot selection. A section of fans also urged the Indian team management to bring back Gill into the playing XI as an opener before the 2026 T20 World Cup next month.

Here is a look at some of the fans reacting to Sanju Samson’s flop show vs NZ:

Shubh Jain

@shubh19

@BCCI @IDFCFIRSTBank another chance flushed down the drain sanju looks like a million dollars for two shots and then plays a brainless shot honestly heartbreaking to watch

Ananya

@ananya_gillstan

@CricCrazyJohns Time to remove him and add shubman gill in team if you want to win wc otherwise forget about wc

Honest Cricket Lover

@Honest_Cric_fan

@CricCrazyJohns Sanju Samson is a fraud cricketer - No batting skill - No Gaming sense - Not playing according to the situation, just blind slogging - Place in the team is due to relationship with Gautam Gambhir - after 53 t20i match only 25 Avg Plz Dropped him from t20i team..

Bharath reddy

@bharathreddy617

@CricCrazyJohns He’ll hit one century and fails in 20-30 matches worst player not Samson he’s scamson no one noticing he’s worst 🤡🤡🤡

𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔

@Shebas_10dulkar

Sanju Samson in Last 12 T20I Innings Runs : 232 Avg : 19.33 SR : 127.47 #INDvsNZ

Jan 21, 2026, 7:14 PM

Satired Out !

@Satired_Out

@CricCrazyJohns Seeing this, Shubham Gill will be like -

Jan 21, 2026, 7:23 PM

Abhishek, SKY help Team India regain stability after top-order setbacks

Sanju Samson’s early dismissal was followed by an underwhelming return performance from comeback man Ishan Kishan, as the number three batter was dismissed for just eight from five balls by New Zealand paceman Jacob Duffy.

Despite suffering two early setbacks, the Indian team raced to a whirlwind 68-2 by the end of the opening powerplay. Losing the toss and getting invited to bat first, blistering opener Abhishek Sharma launched four huge sixes in his first 15 balls of the innings to race to 31*.

Struggling skipper Suryakumar Yadav also demonstrated his batting excellence by getting off to a splendid start with a couple of confident boundaries.

At the time of publishing, the Indian cricket team raced to 84-2 by the end of 7.2 overs.