Chahal Delivers Blunt Assessment of Samson's Prolonged Form Slump
Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has offered a candid and uncompromising evaluation of Sanju Samson's extended period of poor form, firmly asserting that the experienced wicketkeeper-batter cannot use pressure as a justification for his repeated failures. Chahal's comments come at a critical juncture for Samson, whose struggles were once again evident during the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam, casting further doubt on his selection prospects ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Experience Should Overcome Pressure, Says Chahal
Chahal emphasized that a player of Samson's caliber and international tenure should possess the resilience to navigate challenging phases. He pointed out that the ongoing series against New Zealand had presented Samson with multiple opportunities to assert his value, yet his performances have consistently fallen short of expectations. According to Chahal, attributing a string of low scores to mental pressure is unacceptable for someone who has been part of international cricket for over a decade.
Speaking on JioStar, Chahal elaborated: "Sanju Samson has played for many years. He began his career in the IPL middle-order before transitioning to an opener. After spending 10-12 years in international cricket, pressure should not serve as an excuse. He has had four chances in this series. While I can understand failure in one or two matches, failing in three or four is concerning. He is aware that someone like Ishan Kishan, who is batting effectively at number three as the backup, is waiting in the wings. Sanju will hold himself accountable. He had four opportunities but could not capitalize on them."
Samson's Recent Performance Statistics
Samson's inability to convert starts into substantial scores has become a recurring theme. In the fourth T20I, he managed 24 runs off 15 balls before being dismissed by Mitchell Santner. Examining his recent record reveals a troubling pattern:
- In his last five T20I innings, his highest score is 37, achieved during the series against South Africa.
- Across his previous 15 appearances, the Trivandrum-born batter has accumulated only 262 runs at an average of 17.46.
- In the current New Zealand series, he has scored merely 40 runs, intensifying the pressure on the 31-year-old.
Selection Battle Intensifies with Kishan's Presence
The competition for batting spots is heating up as India fine-tunes its combinations for the upcoming global tournament. Ishan Kishan has made significant contributions at number three whenever available, adding to the selection dilemma. However, Kishan missed the fourth T20I due to a minor injury, and his availability for the fifth and final match at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31 remains uncertain.
Chahal Advocates for Strategic Decisions
Despite his critical remarks, Chahal cautioned against impulsive reactions, noting that the T20 World Cup is still distant and decisions should be made with a long-term perspective. He added: "Nevertheless, there is no need for excessive concern because the T20 World Cup is still far away. There is one more match against New Zealand. The outcome now hinges on the team management's assessment. If they believe Sanju is struggling as an opener and Ishan is performing well at number three, then the appropriate decision would be to bench Sanju and allow Ishan Kishan to assume the opener and wicketkeeper role in the final T20I."
As the series concludes, the spotlight remains firmly on Samson's ability to reclaim his form and secure his position in the national squad, with Kishan's performances adding a compelling layer to the selection narrative.
