IND vs NZ 2026: Matt Henry sent Sanju Samson packing for a golden duck on the very first ball of the Guwahati T20I. This silenced the crowd instantly. Yet, moments later, Abhishek Sharma ignited that same stadium. He blasted a fourteen-ball fifty and rewrote the history books.
This massive gap in performance shows the trouble Sanju Samson is in. The Kerala batter walked back with his head down. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma took over the crease and tore into the New Zealand attack with ease. With the T20 World Cup looming in February, this match pretty much ends the debate. Sanju Samson failed to step up. Abhishek Sharma proved he belongs at the top.
Why Sanju Samson Should Be Worried After Abhishek Sharma Show?
The Final Nail in the Coffin:
The selectors now face an obvious choice. The two performances in Guwahati show four clear reasons why Sanju Samson’s time as a main opener is likely over.
1. The Ruthless Demand for Powerplay Dominance
Modern T20 cricket is all about attacking right away. Abhishek Sharma showed exactly how to do it by hammering the Kiwi bowlers from the start. He didn’t need time to get set. He simply hit five fours and four sixes to reach his fifty in record time. Samson, on the other hand, usually needs a few balls to find his groove.
India can’t afford that when 200 is the standard score. Sharma’s style ensures India makes the most of the powerplay. In Guwahati, when Sanju Samson fell early, he left the middle order wide open. The management wants openers who can take the game away from the start. Sharma is exactly what they are looking for.
2. A History of Missed Opportunities
Samson has teased Indian fans for over 10 years. He shows flashes of talent followed by disappointing scores. His duck in Guwahati isn’t a one-off incident. It’s part of a long trend where he can’t seem to stay consistent. Sharma, however, jumped at the chance.
He showed the drive that Samson often lacks when the pressure is on. Selectors want players they can count on. Sharma made a huge impact right away. Samson just added another zero to his record. This makes it easier to argue that he is wasting his chances.
3. The Strategic Left-Handed Advantage
Abhishek Sharma gives the team a tactical edge Samson just doesn’t have. He is a left-hander. Teams everywhere worry about lefties at the top of the order. These hitters force bowlers to change their lines and lengths. India can pair Sharma with another lefty like Ishan Kishan.
This forces the opposing captain to constantly adjust field placements. Samson is a right-hander and doesn’t offer that kind of flexibility. So, Sharma makes the batting order feel more balanced. It gives the team an advantage before the first ball even crosses the plate.
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4. The World Cup Deadline Time is up
The World Cup starts next month. There is no more room to experiment or keep backing players who aren’t scoring. The team needs batters who are in top form right now. They can’t wait for players to find their timing. Sharma is hitting the ball better than anyone else on the team.
Meanwhile, Samson is barely making contact. Current form is everything in a big tournament. Sharma and Kishan have plenty of it. Samson has run out of luck at the worst possible moment. The Guwahati match made it clear: India can’t keep wasting an opening spot on Samson.
