2026 T20 World Cup Alert: Robin Uthappa Backs Misfiring Samson Despite Ishan Kishan’s 43-Ball Century
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — The scoreboard says India crushed New Zealand 4-1 to cap off the 2026 series, but the locker room vibe is anything but settled. With the T20 World Cup opener just days away on February 7, the Men in Blue face a massive dilemma. While Ishan Kishan launched a missile in the series finale—smashing a career-defining 103 off 43 balls—veteran opener Sanju Samson is trapped in a nightmare run, managing just 46 runs across five innings.
The “Million Dollar” Dilemma
The contrast in Thiruvananthapuram was brutal. As the crowd roared for Kishan’s 10 sixes, Samson walked back for a sluggish 6 off 5 balls, cementing a series average of under 10. The 31-year-old hasn’t posted a 30+ score all series, a stark drop from his explosive 2024 season where he struck at over 180.
Yet, former World Cup winner Robin Uthappa insists hitting the panic button now would be a mistake. Speaking on CommBox TV, Uthappa argued that Samson’s class is permanent, even if his runs have temporarily dried up.
“Form will always be temporary… I don’t think the form of Sanju Samson is an issue. The kind of player Samson is, when he comes off in tandem with Abhishek Sharma, they look like a million bucks. That energy is insane.” — Robin Uthappa, CommBox TV
Living with the Sword
Uthappa pinpointed the psychological weight pressing down on the Kerala stumper. Unlike the established trio of Rohit, Kohli, or Gill, Samson has rarely played without looking over his shoulder.
“There has always been a sword over his head,” Uthappa noted. “If he doesn’t perform, there is someone waiting for his spot. When they’ve given him that chance to just go and bat… he has done well.”
Kishan’s Thunderous Case
While Uthappa preaches patience, Ishan Kishan is screaming for selection with his bat. His return to the side has been nothing short of electric:
- Series Stats: 215 runs in 4 innings
- Average: 53.75
- Strike Rate: 231.18
- Finale Fireworks: 103 runs, 10 Sixes, 6 Fours
Kishan’s partnership with Suryakumar Yadav (63 off 30) propelled India to a mammoth 271/5 in the 5th T20I, leaving the selectors with a headache. Uthappa’s solution? Play Kishan at No. 3 and keep backing Samson to open at least until the injured Tilak Varma returns.
World Cup Implications
India’s title defense begins next week. The “Carry Him” strategy is high-risk. If Samson clicks, he wins tournaments. If he fails, and Kishan is forced out of position to accommodate him, the team’s balance could crumble before the Super 8s even begin. For now, the gloves are off—literally and figuratively.
