Opening batter Sanju Samson was once again in the spotlight after scoring 22 off just eight balls on his T20 World Cup debut against Namibia on Thursday (February 12).
He began in fearless fashion, launching the very first delivery he faced for a straight six. He quickly added two more maximums and a boundary off Ben Shikongo, racing to 21 off seven balls at a strike rate of 300. However, on the final ball of the second over, Shikongo deceived him with a slower delivery on the stumps, and Samson chipped it to deep mid-wicket.
Fans on social media spotted Gary Kirtsten giggling at the wicket, and the video came on X in no time. Watch it here:
— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) February 12, 2026
It looked like a giggle of a plan
working out more than anything else.
Kirsten is working with the Namibia team as a consultant for this World Cup. He is one of the most admired figures in Indian cricket as the head coach at the time of the 2011 ODI World Cup, often credited for bringing out the best in a star-studded squad with massively popular characters.
Coaching hasn’t quite worked out for him since, with tough moments in the IPL and in Pakistan. With an aspiring African nation, any wins at this tournament would make for a big step in the right direction.
Coming back to Samson, he was drafted into the XI after first-choice opener Abhishek Sharma fell ill before the match. Having slipped behind Ishan Kishan in the pecking order following a disappointing five-match T20I series in South Africa, this outing presented him with a crucial chance to strengthen his case for the near future.
While the brisk start gave India early momentum, Samson would have hoped for a bigger score, especially against an inexperienced opposition. Soon after his dismissal, Kishan smashed a 20-ball half-century, further solidifying his position in the side.
The brief but explosive cameo split opinion, with some viewing it as a positive impact knock while others felt he squandered a valuable opportunity, a criticism that has often followed him.
