Gavaskar hints Samson may miss India XI as Kishan rockets to century
Gavaskar hints Samson may miss India XI as Kishan rockets to century
Gavaskar questions Sanju Samson's spot as Ishan Kishan belts a rapid century to power India past New Zealand in the final T20I in Thiruvananthapuram.
The fifth and final T20I in Thiruvananthapuram put Sanju Samson under the spotlight once again as he failed to convert on home soil, managing just six runs. A brisk start from Abhishek Sharma, who struck 30 off 16, helped India reach 48 for 2 by the early middle overs, but Samson's quiet spell kept the crowd on edge.
Then Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav took charge, stitching a 137-run partnership off 57 balls to flip the match and the series on its head. Kishan reached fifty in 28 balls and then accelerated, racing to his second fifty in just 14 more deliveries. He completed a century off 42 balls, the fastest hundred by an Indian against New Zealand and the seventh-fastest T20 century overall. Yadav contributed a fluent 50 off 26 as the pair propelled India to a commanding total, with Kishan and Yadav providing the fireworks in a late surge that pushed India well past 250.
As the innings closed, the celebrated stand underscored India’s batting depth, while Samson’s lean patch continued to loom large over team selection debates ahead of the T20 World Cup. In a cricketing landscape where every run is scrutinized, Sunil Gavaskar criticised Samson’s struggles and hinted that he might miss out on the World Cup XI, a stark reminder of how quickly the balance of a squad can tilt when form deserts a player.
The match also offered a reminder of the rest of India’s lineup turning potential into power, with Kishan’s scintillating knock and Yadav’s supporting role illustrating the pace and depth India brings into world events. The outcome left selectors faced with difficult decisions as the countdown to the World Cup continues, balancing current form with long-term preparation.
