Reasons why Sanju Samson can be dropped if he doesn't perform in IND vs NZ 3rd T20I

The recent run drought of Sanju Samson casts uncertainty on his international career for Team India. It is reported that he can be dropped from the team if he is unable to perform according to the expectations in the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI (IND vs NZ 3rd ODI) match, which will take place on January 25 in Guwahati. 

Sanju Samson has been struggling with his batting since the beginning of the ongoing 5-match T20I series. In the IND vs NZ 1st T20I, the keeper batter scored 10 runs, and in the IND vs NZ 2nd T20I, he got only 6, which can force the team management to think differently about the playing combination. 

It is claimed on social media platforms that the upcoming match is going to be an acid test for Sanju. If his bat remains calm in this match too, then the management can take a tough call. Though, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, it will be harsh to predict the international career of someone who has already established himself as a prolific cricketer in this particular format. 

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Why the 3rd IND vs NZ T20I is a very important match for Sanju Samson's career?

A different set of team combinations can be on the table, as the T20 World Cup 2026 was only a few days ago. Keeping an eye on the tournament, where India, the host nation, along with Sri Lanka, will try to do the preparations in the best possible ways. For that, head coach Gautam Gambhir can try to shuffle the playing XI to offer game times to the other players who are currently warming the bench. 

On a positive note, Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav have found their rhythm ahead of the World Cup 2026. Both of them were the star performers for Team India in the previous match in Raipur. Tilak Varma, who was not with the first two matches, is expected to join the team soon after regaining match fitness. Varma's return also can influence the team combination.