Sourav Ganguly urges patience with Sanju Samson: ‘No player can perform under constant pressure’

Sourav Ganguly threw his weight behind Sanju Samson, urging team management to offer him a longer run in India’s setup.

Updated on: Feb 14, 2026, 12:01:36 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Sanju Samson has been under pressure after a string of missed chances in recent outings, yet a fitness concern involving Abhishek Sharma offered him a way back into India’s XI against Namibia. Whether he keeps his place for the high-profile contest against Pakistan may depend largely on Abhishek’s recovery timeline. Earlier in the build-up, Samson had been viewed as India’s likely first-choice opener for the T20 World Cup, but the five-match India vs New Zealand T20I series changed the narrative.

Sanju Samson has failed to capitalise on opportunities. (AFP)

A lean run with the bat dented his momentum, while Ishan Kishan’s explosive performances from No. 3 reshaped the batting order. His aggressive approach and consistent scoring convinced the team management to promote him as Abhishek’s opening partner, pushing Samson further down the pecking order.

In the game against Namibia, Samson raced off the blocks with three early sixes but couldn’t build on the momentum, eventually falling for 22.

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly backed India’s settled lineup ahead of the key clash against Pakistan, saying any change would hinge on Abhishek's fitness, while Samson’s place could depend on the opener’s recovery.

"India's combination is strong and well-balanced, so there’s no need for major changes. Everything depends on Abhishek Sharma’s fitness. If Abhishek is fit to play, he may come in for Sanju, while the rest of the team should remain the same," Ganguly told India Today.

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“Samson deserves consistent opportunities”

Since the start of 2025, Samson has registered just one fifty-plus score in T20Is, a knock that came against Oman, and has otherwise found it difficult to produce steady returns with the bat.

However, the Indian legend threw his weight behind Samson, urging team management to offer him a longer run in India’s setup rather than judging his place on the basis of a few low scores.

"Sanju is a very good player and deserves consistent opportunities. No player can perform under constant pressure where two failures mean being dropped. It’s important to give him a longer run to maintain his form. After all, just over a year ago, he scored three centuries in T20Is. He has immense potential, and I hope he is given the time he deserves," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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