Sanju Samson's Quick Start Falls Short in T20 World Cup Match Against Zimbabwe

In the 2026 T20 World Cup, Sanju Samson's promising start against Zimbabwe ended prematurely as he scored 24 runs off 15 balls. Despite his aggressive play, he couldn't convert it into a significant innings, raising concerns about his consistency. With India needing to win their upcoming matches to secure a semi-final spot, the pressure is on. The team management's decision to replace Rinku Singh with Samson and drop Washington Sundar adds to the intrigue. As India prepares for their next challenge against the West Indies, fans are eager to see if they can maintain their title defense.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 19:55 IST

Samson's Performance in the T20 World Cup

In the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup, Sanju Samson once again struggled to convert a promising start into a substantial innings, scoring 24 runs off 15 balls against Zimbabwe. The wicketkeeper-batsman began aggressively, maintaining a strike rate of 160, which included two sixes and a four. His early contributions helped relieve some pressure off Abhishek Sharma, who has been facing difficulties in the tournament. However, this was not the first time Samson fell short, as he had previously scored just 22 runs off 8 balls against Namibia. Commentator Irfan Pathan shared his thoughts on Samson's dismissal, stating on X, "Sanju Samson did his job." Samson and Sharma formed a solid opening partnership, adding 48 runs in just 3.4 overs, earning praise from the team management as he returned to the dugout.

Changes in the Playing XI

Sanju Samson Replaces Rinku Singh

Samson stepped into the playing XI, taking the place of Rinku Singh, who had struggled with only 24 runs across five innings. Additionally, Washington Sundar was dropped, making way for Axar Patel. Sundar had been rested for the previous league match against the Netherlands and was surprisingly benched for the Super 8 clash against South Africa, where he bowled just two overs and scored 11 runs in a challenging chase of 188.

India's Path to the Semi-Finals

How Can India Qualify for the Semi-Final?

Following South Africa's significant victory over the West Indies, India now controls its own fate. The defending champions can secure a spot in the semi-finals by winning both of their Super 8 matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies. After the match against Zimbabwe, India will head to Kolkata to face the West Indies on March 1st. The West Indies won their initial Super 8 match against Zimbabwe but faced a heavy nine-wicket loss to South Africa. Both South Africa and England have already qualified for the semi-finals.