Kris Srikkanth, the former Indian cricket captain, did not hold back his disappointment regarding Sanju Samson's struggles against the short ball during India’s recent T20I series against England. In his analysis, Srikkanth emphasized that Samson seemed to be unable to break free from the trap set by the England pacers, particularly the short-pitched deliveries. Srikkanth highlighted that Samson’s failure to adjust his technique and his apparent refusal to abandon the shot that led to his downfall was a major concern. Samson’s inability to learn from his repeated dismissals was an issue that Srikkanth found particularly troubling, especially as it came at a time when his place in the T20I squad was being closely scrutinized.
Samson, who had been in sensational form earlier, struggled miserably in the five-match series, which India won 4-1. Despite the team's success, Samson could only accumulate 51 runs, a far cry from the explosive performances that had earlier earned him a regular spot in the Indian T20I lineup. This dip in form was especially jarring given that he had been in the midst of a purple patch, including a remarkable streak of three centuries in five T20I matches in late 2024. During India’s tour to South Africa, Samson had been in excellent touch, scoring two centuries, raising expectations for his future contributions. However, in the T20I series against England, Samson appeared to be completely out of sync, particularly against the pace attack of Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, and Mark Wood. The England pacers repeatedly targeted Samson with short-pitched deliveries, and he failed to find any way to counter this tactic. His dismissals were strikingly similar — either mistimed shots or finding fielders in the deep after playing aerial strokes — and this pattern of dismissal spoke volumes about his lack of preparation to combat the short ball.
Srikkanth, speaking candidly on his YouTube channel, expressed frustration with Samson's apparent lack of adaptability. He pointed out that Samson had been getting out in the same fashion repeatedly and appeared to be stubborn about not changing his approach. “Sanju Samson seems to have missed the bus. For the fifth time, getting out in the same manner. He has played a similar shot. I think he is trying to show his ego. He is trying to say 'no, no, I will play this shot'. Is he going on an ego trip or struggling? I am not sure,” said Srikkanth, his tone reflecting the sense of disappointment he felt. Srikkanth further remarked, "It's very sad. I am disappointed. We spoke about why he was not picked in the Champions Trophy squad. If he continues playing like this, let's say thank you, sorry, Yashasvi Jaiswal is back." This comment suggested that Srikkanth believed that Samson could lose his place in the squad if he didn’t adapt his game soon.
The situation for Samson is now particularly challenging, with India’s top-order places becoming more competitive. After a string of excellent performances against Bangladesh and South Africa, Samson had earned a regular place in India’s T20I lineup. However, with players like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal unavailable for T20Is due to their commitments in Test and ODI formats, competition for the top-order positions is intensifying. Samson’s repeated failures against the short ball leave the selectors with a difficult decision. With Jaiswal’s return and the presence of other talented players, it is highly likely that Samson’s place is under threat unless he can correct his shortcomings quickly. The T20 World Cup 2026 looms large, and the selectors will likely have to choose the best performers as the team starts its preparations for the global event.
Adding to the pressure on India’s middle order, Srikkanth also discussed Suryakumar Yadav’s recent struggles. The India vice-captain had a quiet series against England, scoring only 28 runs in five innings. Like Samson, Suryakumar seemed to be struggling to adapt to the conditions and fast-paced deliveries. Srikkanth pointed out that Suryakumar was playing with his natural attacking instincts, but his execution had been off, leading to a string of disappointing performances. “Look at Suryakumar Yadav. Show me his numbers from the last 10 innings, that’s what we need to look at in T20Is. Look at this series, he has tried to play the same shot. He has tried to flick and has gotten top edges that have carried," Srikkanth said. The former cricketer opined that Suryakumar was unable to execute his shots properly, particularly his signature flick, against the extra pace. "I think Suryakumar is not able to execute his flicks, which have been his strengths, due to the extra pace. I don't know if he is playing too early. He is rushing into his shots, not playing relaxed." This criticism is especially poignant given that Suryakumar had been one of India’s most consistent T20I performers, and his recent slump has raised concerns.
Srikkanth’s concerns about both players highlight a larger issue — the lack of consistency in the middle order. Both Samson and Suryakumar have been excellent at times but have failed to build on their earlier success. While Srikkanth remains hopeful that Suryakumar will bounce back and correct his game, the pressure on both players is mounting. “Suryakumar is one of my favourite players. I hope he makes corrections and comes back,” he said, demonstrating his belief in the talented batter. Nevertheless, both Samson and Suryakumar will need to address their weaknesses, particularly against high-paced deliveries, or risk losing their places in the squad as the T20 World Cup 2026 draws closer.
The current situation presents a dilemma for the Indian team management. With players like Jaiswal, Gill, and others likely to be vying for spots in the top order, the competition for places is becoming more fierce. It will be interesting to see how the selectors manage this problem of plenty, balancing current form with long-term potential as India prepares for future international challenges. The dynamic between the team’s senior players and emerging talents will shape the direction of India’s T20I team in the coming months.
