“We have seen the likes of KL Rahul do it” - Former India batter’s blunt remark on Sanju Samson after NZ vs IND 2026 T20Is

Former Indian batter WV Raman has said the more experienced Sanju Samson should have batted at No.3 for India in the second T20I against New Zealand instead of young Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Ishan Kishan picked up a low-grade right adductor strain in the series opener at Hagley Oval and was ruled out of the second T20I on October 24. Suryavanshi, 15, came in and batted at one-drop with Abhishek Sharma and Samson opening.

Suryavanshi made only four off eight deliveries before Nathan Smith had him caught at cover. In the next game, in Wellington, the order flipped. Suryavanshi opened with Abhishek, the pair added 133 inside seven overs, and Suryavanshi made 45 off 19 as India chased 198 in 13.2 overs. Samson went in at No.3 and scored 18.

Talking about the batting order that transpired in the second and third T20Is against New Zealand, Raman said to Hindustan Times:

"If there is a situation where some adaptation is needed, then the more experienced cricketer must be made to adapt to a new position. By that, I mean, Sanju Samson should have batted at No.3 straight away in the second T20I itself. If you are an experienced cricketer, you must definitely be ready and willing to do what the team needs. We have seen the likes of Rahul Dravid do it. We have seen the likes of KL Rahul do it."

He added:

"If you have been around for a while, and if you have gained enough experience, I think you must put your hand up and say, ‘yes, I will do whatever the team wants me to do’, rather than a youngster being shuttled up and down the order."

Fortunately, India won both the second and third T20Is, taking an unassailable 3-0 series lead, before losing the final two matches.

Samson’s numbers as an opener, and everywhere else

Sanju Samson has 1,834 runs in 80 T20Is at 27.37, and a strike rate of 159.20, but the split by position is lopsided. As an opener, the 31-year-old averages 31.20 in 45 T20I innings at a strike rate of 177.74, including three centuries.

However, elsewhere, Samson's T20I numbers remain mediocre, with averages of 14.75 and 21.30 in eight and 11 innings at No.3 and 4. The right-hander also averages only 23 in eight innings at No.5.

Samson has also batted once for India at No.6 and 7 in T20Is, scoring 12 and 19, respectively.

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