Will Sanju Samson play Today in India vs New Zealand T20I Match in Trivandrum?

Sanju Samson remains the talk of Thiruvananthapuram as India take on New Zealand in the final of the five-match T20I series on Saturday (January 31).

India have an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series and will be aiming to finish off in style ahead of the T20 World Cup. But despite the recent upbeat mode in the Indian dressing room, Sanju Samson and his form remain an issue.

Sanju has been picked as India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for the T20 World Cup, but the Kerala-born star player has found a roadblock in his prolific run scoring form.

Sanju has played all four matches of the series at his preferred top-order slot, but has only accumulated 40 runs in them, with a paltry average of 10. Ahead of the T20 World Cup, that's a big problem

for the Indian team, who have Ishan Kishan as a backup option.

Sanju Samson's recent Struggle

Sanju made a decent start in the first match but lost his wicket with a loose shot for 10 runs. He managed only 6 runs in the second encounter and then managed a duck in the third one. In Vizag, he made another good start and got to 24, but then got bamboozled by Mitchell Santner, who disturbed his poles after a stagnant effort. As Sanju enters the Greenfield Stadium for his first-ever international match, the pressure is plenty.

Will Sanju Samson play Today vs NZ?

There have been calls for playing Ishan Kishan as a potential opener in the match, whilst Shreyas Iyer is being called to slot in the middle order. But as per the latest understanding, Sanju Samson is set to keep his place as the opener at his hometown. Trivandrum has been his breeding ground, and the Kerala batter will get an opportunity to showcase his class and mettle in front of his local supporters. The atmosphere is set to be electric, and it can revitalise the India batter who is desperate to find some runs under his belt.

The World Cup is just a week away, and it is imperative for Sanju Samson to find his form. And if Samson fails to get runs under his belt today, he may not been seen in the lineup come next Saturday, when India play their first group stage match against USA.