IND vs NZ: Sanju Samson's homecoming turns sour with another batting blip in Trivandrum

The atmosphere at the Green Park International Stadium shifted from frenetic energy to stunned silence as local hero Sanju Samson failed to deliver in the fifth T20I against New Zealand. Despite the immense anticipation from a home crowd eager to see him shine in India colors, the opener’s struggles continued. He lasted only six deliveries, managing a meager 6 runs before heading back to the dugout.

Sanju Samson falters in Trivandrum again

From the start, Samson appeared to be battling both his own rhythm and the weight of expectation. He looked unsettled at the crease, earning his only boundary through a thick outside edge that flew past the slips toward third man. His lack of timing was evident throughout his brief stay, highlighted by a scrappy single off an inside edge that further underscored his discomfort against the New Zealand attack.

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In a desperate attempt to break the shackles, Samson attempted a premeditated leg-side heave against the express pace of Lockie Ferguson. However, the sheer velocity of the delivery defeated him, he closed the face of the bat too early and a leading edge loitered toward deep backward point. Bevon Jacobs comfortably secured the catch, leaving the stadium in a state of "pin-drop silence" as the disappointed local fans watched their star depart cheaply once again.

Ironically, Samson’s performance in the middle stood in stark contrast to his preparation. During training the previous day, he had specifically faced side-arm throwdown specialists to gear up for high-velocity bowling and appeared remarkably comfortable. He looked confident and in excellent touch throughout the session, handling extreme pace with ease in the nets, yet this composure failed to manifest during the high-pressure environment of the actual game.

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Sanju Samson's worrisome numbers in T20Is

The latest failure capped off a dismal series for the wicketkeeper-batter, who managed a total of just 46 runs across five innings. His highest score of the series was a modest 24, recorded in the fourth T20I. Since the start of 2025, his statistics as a T20I opener have become increasingly concerning; he has accumulated only 134 runs in 11 innings, resulting in a lean average of 12.18 and a top score of just 37.

With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, Samson’s place in the squad is under serious threat.