Former Gujarat batter Priyank Panchal has issued a warning to wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson after his latest failure in the third T20I against New Zealand. Panchal stated that repeated poor performances could put Samson’s place in the team at risk, drawing parallels with Ambati Rayudu’s snub in 2019.
India sealed the five-match T20I series with a 3-0 lead in Guwahati on January 25 and will head into the 2026 T20 World Cup after another series win. However, Samson perished for a golden duck after being bowled by Matt Henry while chasing 154. He had scored just 10 and 6 in the first two matches of the series.
That Cost Ambati Rayudu His World Cup Spot in 2019 – Priyank Panchal on Sanju Samson
Priyank Panchal said that Sanju Samson’s recent low scores could impact his place in the T20 World Cup. Panchal added that intense competition leaves no room for repeated failures and warned that just three poor matches had earlier cost Ambati Rayudu his World Cup spot in 2019.
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“Feeling bad for Sanju. Amid such competition of places, you can’t afford to have three off games so close to the World Cup. Don’t forget it was just three poor outings vs AUS that cost Rayudu his WC spot in 2019. I fear history is set to return itself this time too,” Panchal wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Feeling bad for Sanju. Amid such competition of places, you can’t afford to have three off games so close to the World Cup. Don’t forget it was just three poor outings vs AUS that cost Rayudu bhai his WC spot in 2019. I fear history is set to return itself this time too. #INDvNZ
— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09) January 25, 2026
For the unversed, Ambati Rayudu missed out on selection for the 2019 ODI World Cup after scoring poorly in the matches leading up to the tournament. He had been used regularly at No. 4 in ODIs before the event, which made his late omission unexpected for many.
India Clinch 3-0 Series Lead Despite Sanju Samson’s Duck in 3rd T20I
India produced another dominant performance to beat New Zealand in the third T20I at Guwahati. Chasing a target of 154, India finished the match in just 10 overs with eight wickets in hand, sealing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
India lost Sanju Samson on the first ball of the chase, as Matt Henry bowled him for a golden duck. However, the early setback did not slow the scoring rate.
Abhishek Sharma took control and smashed an unbeaten 68 off just 20 balls. He reached his half-century in only 14 deliveries, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is. Captain Suryakumar Yadav supported him with an unbeaten 57 off 26 balls.
Ishan Kishan also chipped in with a quick 28 off 13 balls. The penultimate T20I match of the ongoing series will take place in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, January 28.
Ishan Kishan’s Form Puts Sanju Samson’s T20 World Cup Role Under Spotlight
Ishan Kishan made a strong impact in the ongoing T20I series. He scored a match-winning 76 off 32 balls in the second game and followed it with a quick 28 off 13 balls in the third. His form has raised questions about Sanju Samson’s place ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Samson was named in the 15-member World Cup squad with the plan to open the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma. However, that role now looks uncertain after his poor run in the first three T20Is against New Zealand, where he scored 10, 6, and 0.
Since the start of 2025, Samson has played 14 innings and scored 238 runs at an average of 17 and a strike rate of 126.59, with only one fifty-plus score.
Kishan, on the other hand, was not in early World Cup plans. His performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy forced the selectors to pick him. He was selected ahead of Shubman Gill to serve as a backup wicketkeeper-batter at the top of the order.
Also read: Ishan Kishan dropped, Sanju Samson backed in playing XI despite poor form on Tilak Varma’s comeback
