Will Sanju Samson get the long rope heading in T20 World Cup? India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak ends speculation

Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has reaffirmed that the team management remains supportive of Sanju Samson, despite acknowledging a disappointing run of form during the T20I series against New Zealand. Since returning to the top of the order, the wicketkeeper-batter has struggled to find his rhythm, managing a mere 40 runs across his last four outings. This translates to a lean average of just 10, though he has maintained a brisk strike rate of 142.86.

Samson’s dismissals have followed a frustrating pattern: he fell early in the first two matches while trying to attack the bowlers immediately, and he was subsequently bowled in the following two games. This slump comes at a precarious time, as fellow wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan has shown sublime form since his return to the international fold. The contrast in their performances has significantly increased the scrutiny on Samson’s role in the starting XI.

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Sitanshu Kotak comes to Sanju Samson's defence

The upcoming fifth T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram carries immense weight for Samson. Playing on his home turf, he faces a critical test to prove he deserves a spot in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 plans. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Kotak emphasized that the management's primary focus is to ensure Samson remains in a positive headspace and mentally resilient despite the recent string of low scores.

"Sanju is Sanju. Okay, probably he has not scored as many runs as everybody would have liked, but that’s part of the game. Sometimes you have five innings in a row when you score heavily, and sometimes you don’t. So it’s all down to the individual and how he keeps his mind strong, and obviously our job is to keep him in a good frame of mind and make sure he practises and works hard. We all know what Sanju is capable of, so I don’t think there’s anything more to say about Sanju, because he’s been really good,” Kotak said at the pre-match press conference," Kotak said in the pre-match press conference.

Sanju Samson's underwhelming show against NZ

Samson’s struggle for consistency continued in the fourth T20I against New Zealand at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Despite showing glimpses of his trademark fluency with 24 runs off just 15 deliveries, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter failed to capitalize on his positive start. His innings was cut short by spinner Mitchell Santner, marking another missed opportunity to cement his role in the top order.

This latest setback highlights a worrying trend for Samson, who has found runs hard to come by in recent months. His highest score over his last five T20I appearances is a modest 37, which he recorded against South Africa back in December. With only 40 runs accumulated throughout the current series against New Zealand, the pressure is mounting on the Kerala batter to justify his position.

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