India’s Sanju Samson, left, and Abhishek Sharma (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade) Sanju Samson’s return to India’s T20 World Cup plans came with both praise and caution. After being named India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, Samson found support from former India selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who did not hold back in his assessment of his comeback in Ahmedabad. “He batted really well. What an innings it was. Some shots he played were brilliant,” Srikkanth said. “When they attack, they attack deadly.
Inside the story of why Shubman Gill was DROPPED from India’s T20I World Cup squad
However, the former India captain was quick to add a word of caution, pointing out the fine edges that defined Samson’s international career. “All I’m going to say to Sanju is, don’t get out at 37. Turn that 37 into 73. If you do that, you can’t be eliminated,” he said. “People forget the 30s and 40s. Samson’s 37 came at a crucial time after missing seven consecutive matches since the tour of Australia and just a day before India announced their World Cup squad. The timing proved crucial, especially when the selectors sprung a surprise by omitting vice-captain Shubman Gill. Srikkanth suggested that decisions may have already been communicated behind the scenes. “Sanju Samson got one chance and he grabbed it in yesterday’s match,” he said. “I think they might have told him yesterday you’re not playing. Maybe that’s why he was ruled ineligible. Maybe they told him he wasn’t on the team.” Gill, who replaced Samson as Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner in September 2025, looked to cement his place. He failed to score a single half-century in 15 innings and managed just 32 runs in three innings during the South Africa series before a toe injury ruled him out of the final two matches and ultimately the World Cup squad. Srikkanth also looked beyond the selection debates and set his sights on India’s batting firepower heading into the tournament. “He batted like ‘Mission Impossible’. It was just great to watch him bat,” he said, referring to Hardik Pandya. And the warning to naysayers was clear. “If you look at the top five, if Suryakumar Yadav’s hits are produced, this batting line-up will destroy the opposition,” Srikkanth said. “It is an intimidating and devastating batting line-up.
