![Fans react to Sanju Samson failures [Source: @Vikrant_1589/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1769184042712_SanjuSamson.jpg?type=hq)
Fans react to Sanju Samson failures [Source: @Vikrant_1589/x]
Sanju Samson once again failed to make the most of his opportunity at the top of the order for Team India. Called back into the national side as a replacement for Shubman Gill for the T20I series against New Zealand, the blistering opening batter was dismissed for just six from five balls by fast bowler Matt Henry in the first over of the Indian run chase.
Starting off the Indian innings with a huge six in just the second ball, Sanju Samson chipped one straight to Rachin Ravindra at mid-on a couple of deliveries later as the hosts coped a huge blow in a chase of 209 runs.
Sanju Samson flop show continues in NZ series
Opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma in the second T20I of the five-match home series against New Zealand, Sanju Samson was dismissed for just six from five balls by visiting paceman Matt Henry. Samson’s latest failure at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur marked his second in succession this series, considering he was also dismissed for just 10 off seven balls in the first match at Nagpur earlier this week.
With Sanju Samson failing to justify his return to the Indian team as a primary opener, several Indian cricket fans took to X to make hilarious memes at the expense of the explosive wicketkeeper-batter.
While some fans trolled the cricketer for allegedly relying on his social media PR for sympathy and team selection, others predicted that he might well be dropped again from the Indian team ahead of next month’s 2026 T20 World Cup. Here is a look at some of the fans reacting to Samson’s successive flop show.
Fans react to Sanju Samson getting dismissed early against New Zealand in second T20I:
What’s next for Sanju Samson?
It is worth noting that Sanju Samson played a key role in India securing a T20I series win in South Africa, and against Bangladesh at home just a little over a year ago. However, a flop show at home against England prompted the Indian team management to relegate Samson and appoint Shubman Gill as opener instead.
However, Gill’s underwhelming returns once again forced a radical change in the Indian setup, with the selection committee recalling Sanju Samson at the top just a month before the 2026 T20 World Cup.
With two failures in two innings, Sanju Samson now finds himself under pressure, with every remaining game in the series turning into a must-deliver outing.
India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I updates
As it turned out, the early dismissal of Sanju Samson coupled with that of his opening partner Abhishek Sharma plunged Team India into a huge trouble against New Zealand in the second T20I. Chasing 209 for a win, India slipped to 6-2 inside the first two overs of the innings.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand mounted 208-6 in 20 overs courtesy of some attacking 40s from number three Rachin Ravindra and captain Mitchell Santner.
