Watch: “Neither here nor…”- Aakash Chopra reflects on Sanju Samson’s form ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
The renowned commentator and the former opening batter of the Indian side, Aakash Chopra, has reflected on the form of Sanju Samson, ahead of the 2026 season of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Sanju Samson has overall smashed 1048 runs in 47 innings of the shortest format at an average of 24.37 and a strike rate of 147.60, thanks to three centuries and as many half-centuries at the best score of 111 runs. In the ongoing series against New Zealand, he has accumulated only 16 runs in three games, including a first-ball duck.
This has raised speculation that Samson would be playing the last two games against the Kiwis, which is close to the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, beginning on February 07. The former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, has reflected on the Kerala batter’s form.
See Also: Know dates, timings, and venues for T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches
“I think the Indian team felt guilty of dropping home. So, they didn’t drop him. They said, " We’ll play him, but we will play him at a number which is not natural to him. So, Samson continued to play, but he got chances, but not the kind of chances. Then, a pivot happened. And suddenly, he became an opener.” Chopra has expressed in an ESPNcricinfo interaction.
Aakash Chopra explains why Sanju Samson loses T20I form
Sanju batted in the middle order during the Asia Cup 2025, along with the previous five-match T20I series against Australia down under. On the other hand, he returned to the opening spot in the Kiwi series, where he had failed to get the form.
Watch the video here:
“Now the question is, why are we actually discussing this now? Because if he had opened all the way from the Asia Cup till now, either he would have been dropped by now, or he would have been a permanent member by now. So, he is neither here nor there. Because he played, but in the middle order. The number he was given out very close to the World Cup is where Ishan Kishan’s batting has been priceless.” Chopra addressed.
Ishan is doing well, World Cup around the world, and you suddenly don’t have the patience to give him five games or even more, because you think that he actually deserves. It’s unfortunate. Gill also feels the same. Because you replaced him with Sanju, who might not be there.”
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