{"id":"f-80ae245e0c-59301a77-041a-52c5-b1ce-206f5bbb9e4c","title":"'Why Isn't Shubman Gill In The Team...': Sanju Samson's Kolkata Knock Sparks Fresh Discussion","description":"Sourav Ganguly praised Sanju Samson for his unbeaten 97, guiding India to the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. India faces England next at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on March 5.","timestamp":1772507700,"category":"sports","headline":"'Why Isn't Shubman Gill In The Team...': Sanju Samson's Kolkata Knock Sparks Fresh Discussion","modifiedHeadline":"Ganguly reacts on Sanju's magic at Eden Gardens","subCategories":["scid_185ed133"],"subcategoriesName":["Cricket"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"6ff0e53c-03a9-4fac-a199-00040694f01a","bundleTitle":"Indian Cricket","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"491","fcSummary":"sourav ganguly praised sanju samson's match-winning unbeaten 97, which secured india's spot in the t20 world cup semi-finals. ganguly advocated for samson's consistent inclusion in india's white-ball squads, noting his ability to dominate and his composure under pressure. samson's performance silenced critics and proved his worth after a period of inconsistency. india will now face england in the semi-final.","summary":"Samson's unbeaten 97 powers India to T20 World Cup semi-finals! Ganguly praises his performance, sparking debate about Gill's absence.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/news/IN/en/news18/f-80ae245e0c-59301a77-041a-52c5-b1ce-206f5bbb9e4c","sourceUrl":"https://www.news18.com/cricket/why-isnt-shubman-gill-in-the-team-sanju-samsons-kolkata-knock-sparks-fresh-discussion-ws-lo-9938993.html","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/F-WgA8B4u7i0.webp","content":"

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly lauded Sanju Samson after the wicketkeeper-batter’s match-winning effort powered India into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Samson produced a sublime unbeaten

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97 off just 50 deliveries, steering India to a five-wicket victory and sealing their place in the final four. Having drifted in and out of the T20I setup over the past few months, Samson was drafted into the must-win fixture against Zimbabwe in Chennai, where he chipped in with a brisk 24 off 15 balls to lay a solid foundation.

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On Sunday, he showcased maturity and composure in a tense chase, pacing his innings to perfection and ensuring he remained till the end to guide the hosts home. His performance drew high praise from Ganguly, who backed him for a regular role in India’s white-ball squads.

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“Outstanding. He’s a very good player. He should consistently play for India in the white-ball,” Ganguly told ANI.

The former skipper highlighted Samson’s ability to dominate attacks once he finds his rhythm and commended his situational awareness during the knock.

“You know, when he gets in, he’ll hurt the opposition. He played to the important situation,” Ganguly added.

Ganguly also underlined the resilience shown by the Kerala batter in silencing critics and reclaiming his spot in the side.

“What it teaches all of us is that the same boy could not find in the last six months, could not find his place in the team, either there was Ishan Kishan opening or somebody else coming in. Just before the World Cup, I used to go through media headlines that said Sanju fails again, he should not be deserving a place in the side, India has so much talent, why is not Shubman Gill in the side and yet here is a boy in a quarterfinal game, gets 97 and takes you to the semifinal,” said Ganguly.

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India will now take on England in the semi-final on March 5 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

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'Why Isn't Shubman Gill In The Team...': Sanju Samson's Kolkata Knock Sparks Fresh Discussion

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