India wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson’s lean patch continued as he was dismissed for 6 in the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Samson has had a strings of low score where he managed a total of 16 runs in first three matches while got a brisk 24 in the fourth. The right-handed batter then had a forgettable outing in this final encounter as well at his home turf.
Samson tried to take on Lockie Ferguson and slashed one hard but miscued his stroke and found Bevon Jacobs at the third man.
Sanju Samson in the last 16 innings in T20is:
26 (20), 5 (7), 3 (6), 1 (3), 16 (7), 56 (45), 13 (17), 39 (23), 24 (21), 2 (4), 37 (22), 10 (7), 6 (5), 0 (1), 24 (15), 6 (6).
268 runs.
16.75 average.
128.22 strike rate. pic.twitter.com/v8pSrh4v6z— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 31, 2026
Gautam Gambhir watching Sanju Samson pic.twitter.com/VKVAMOmYvI
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) January 31, 2026
The way Sanju Samson was backed, if Ruturaj Gaikwad had received even half of that support, India might have a proper opener.
Solid technique, calm temperament, and exactly what India needs right now.
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) January 31, 2026
Captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bat first. Abhishek Sharma continued his ultra aggressive batting from the other end and provided the hosts with a quick start before he was cleaned up by Ferguson for 30 off 16.
“Suryakumar Yadav: We are going to bat first. We were here last night. There were a lot of dew. So we want to test our bowlers by defending the total tonight. Looks like a good wicket. We had a good hit last night and the curator said it’s going to play true for the next 40 overs, no grass and it is going to be a good one. We have three changes – Axar comes back, Ishan comes back and one more. Whatever it is, Trivandrum, Sanju Samson is playing tonight (laughs),” Surya said at the toss.
