Sanju Samson is back in the Indian side doing his job. But is it doing enough? That’s the question that comes after another short powerplay against Zimbabwe in Chepauk on Thursday.
Samson scored 24 off 15 balls before departing and promoted Blessing Muzarabani to Ryan Burle’s deep. It was the kind of start India needed, but with batting of his calibre, the question remains whether he can go on to score more.
But Sunil Gavaskar was measured in his assessment. “He did what was expected of him, which was to get the team off to a good start. But as a batsman, he too would like to get 50, maybe 70 or 80 and get the team to 200 regularly,” Gavaskar said in India Today’s post-match segment with Nikhil Naz.
Gavaskar pointed out one clear advantage that Samson brings to the table. His presence creates a left-right combo at the top, making life difficult for players. “You can’t blame him because he tried to take advantage of the power play and the limitations on the field,” Gavaskar said.
WHY SAMSON’S INCLUSION MADE SENSE
The decision to bring Samson back it wasn’t just his batting. It was a solution to a problem that had plagued India throughout the tournament.
With Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan opening together, the opposition sides found a simple but effective solution. The bowl is spinning early. Pakistan used Salman Ali Agha, Netherlands turned to Aryan Dutt and South Africa brought in Aiden Markram. On all three occasions, India lost in the first over and never quite recovered the momentum.
Samson’s inclusion disrupted this pattern. With the right-hander next to Abhishek, teams could no longer rely on this early trap. It was a tactical move, but an important one, and it paid off on Thursday.
Opening Stand 48 between Samson and Abhishek gave India the platform it lacked. Once Samson departed, Abhishek took charge and added another 72 off 42 balls with Ishan Kishan to keep the momentum going.
THE TOTAL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
India didn’t just win on Thursday. They made a statement. They posted 256 for four, their highest ever total in T20 World Cups and the highest in this edition, before winning by 72 runs.
Abhishek Sharma led the way with 55 off 30 balls to end a miserable run of three consecutive ducks. Hardik Pandya then hit an unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls and Tilak Varma, struggling for fluency in the tournament, took to the Zimbabwean bowling to finish on 44 off 16 balls at a strike rate of 275. The two put on 84 runs for the fifth wicket, with only India hitting the last wicket.
In reply, Zimbabwe managed 184 for six. Brian Bennett made an unbeaten 97 off 59 balls, but it was never going to be enough. Arshdeep Singh led the bowling attack with three for 24.
India’s net interest rate recovered from -3.800 to -0.100. South Africa advanced to the semi-finals. India and West Indies now meet at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1 in a winner-takes-all contest. Win and India are over. Lose or face a washout and they’re out.
As for Samson, Thursday was the beginning. Kolkata will need more.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
27 Feb 2026 02:03 IST
