Sanju Samson once again trended on social media after his 22 (8) on T20 World Cup debut against Namibia on Thursday (February 12). The knock divided his fanbase, with some feeling he did his job, while others said that he wasted a golden opportunity, claiming it to be typical of his career.
Samson got the chance to play this game because the first-choice opener Abhishek Sharma had taken ill in the lead-up. Samson had fallen behind Ishan Kishan in pecking order after a poor five-T20I series against South Africa, so this was indeed a chance to prove his credentials for the near future.
He started without taking any pressure, hitting a stunning six down the ground on the first ball. Soon, he had smashed two more sixes and a boundary against Ben Shikongo
to race to 21 (7) with a strikerate of 300. On the last ball of the second over in the innings, he was outfoxed by Shikongo’s slower one on the stumps and ended up chipping it to deep mid-wicket.
Check the best reactions here:
This inning defines the career of Sanju Samson, started like a Lambhorgini and got parked like an Alto.
— Abhishek (@vicharabhio) February 12, 2026
Nothing left to say about Sanju Samson – an epitome of incorrigible mediocrity. He can’t last even 2 overs against Namibia of all teams!
Just throw him out of this squad… Is this the best talent a country of 1.5 billion has?? Shameful! #T20WorldCup2026 🏏— Sohini M. (@Mittermaniac) February 12, 2026
Everytime you expect Sanju Samson to play a big inning
Sanju Samson- #INDvNAM pic.twitter.com/YorCnsoZZi
— Sajcasm (@sajcasm_) February 12, 2026
Samson 😞😞 Looked so good. What was that chip?
— Haricharan Pudipeddi (@pudiharicharan) February 12, 2026
Kya hi gadha hai samson, was playing exceptionally well and still managed to toss his best chance away
— mon (@4sacinom) February 12, 2026
Such a great start and was timing the ball well but gifted his wicket. He wanted to get out or something.
Sanju Samson. 🤦
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) February 12, 2026
Fine innings from Samson.
— cricketingview (@cricketingview) February 12, 2026
While in the grand scheme of a T20 innings, it’s a positive knock from Samson. He played very few deliveries but made them count to give his team a great start — the same thing that earned Abhishek immense laurels during the 2025 Asia Cup. There’s a high chance the team management encouraged him to do this.
But for his own sake, he’d have hoped to get at least a half-century, considering the quality of the opponent. Soon after Samson’s wicket, Kishan went on to reach his fifty off just 20 balls, further cementing his place in the team. Although Abhishek could miss the next match against Pakistan, it’s almost certain that whenever he returns, the team will push Samson back to the bench.
