Sanju Samson on Tuesday (Source: AFP Photos)Less than 48 hours ago, Sanju Samson made only 10 off 8 balls in the first T20I between India and Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. No wonder people came from the left, right and centre to criticise BCCI for leaving Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the bench for him.And Samson took little time to shut the noise at the same venue during IND vs AFG 2nd T20I. With seven fours and four sixes, he made 57 runs off just 22 balls before eventually falling to Rashid Khan.Sanju Samson Tears Apart Afghanistan BowlersSamson took only 20 balls to get to a flamboyant half-century. It was the second fastest half-century against Afghanistan in T20Is.Notably, it was Samson’s first T20I fifty since the T20 World Cup 2026 final. There, he made 89 off 46 balls, which had eight sixes and five fours before winning the Player of the Tournament award.Fastest 50s vs Afghanistan in T20Is (By Balls)17 - Paul Stirling (Ireland), Dubai (DSC), 201220 - Sanju Samson (India), Delhi, 2026, Tonight* 21 - Sean Williams (Zimbabwe), Bulawayo, 201522 - Shivam Dube (India), Indore, 202422 - Abhishek Sharma(India), Delhi, 202623 - Ryan Rickelton (South Africa), Ahmedabad, 2026It was also Samson's fastest-ever half-century in T20Is, leaving behind his previous best of reaching there in 22 balls against Bangladesh. That knock came in 2024.Also Read: Full List Of Changes In India Squad for Afghanistan T20Is Compared To Zimbabwe TourFastest 50s For Sanju Samson In T20Is (By Balls)20 vs Afghanistan, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*22 vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 202426 vs West Indies, Kolkata, 202626 vs England, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2026Samson Joins 1000-Run Club As India Opener In T20IsIn other records, Samson crossed the 1000-run mark as an India opener in T20Is during his breathtaking knock on Tuesday. He joined Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Abhishek Sharma, who are already there.Rohit Sharma is at the top of the chart by a fair distance, while Abhishek reached new heights in a very short period.1000-Plus Runs As An Opener For India In T20Is3750 - Rohit Sharma (SR: 143.02, Boundary%: 20.33)1826 - KL Rahul (SR: 136.98, Boundary%: 17.34)1759 - Shikhar Dhawan (SR: 126.36, Boundary%: 17.31)1726 - Abhishek Sharma (SR: 191.56, Boundary%: 31.63)1026 - Sanju Samson (SR: 181.59, Boundary%: 29.73)Overall, Samson has 1499 runs in T20Is, a format he has played in 60 innings. He now has seven half-centuries and three hundreds in this format for the country.However, his average has not been great, reading 27.25. Therefore, being someone who has not been so consistent for India at the top of the order, people often raise questions about him being picked over and over again.Instead, a long-term opportunity for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, projected as India’s next big thing, could be more beneficial for India’s betterment in T20Is.Also Read: Sanju Samson's Record vs Afghanistan As India's Opening Dilemma Intensifies For 1st T20I
