The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has scored just 16 runs in three T20Is, as fellow top-order batters Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav have tormented the New Zealand bowlers.
Sanju Samson. (Photo Credits: Screengrab/X)
Indian team's bowling coach Morne Morkelhas put his weight behind wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson who is struggling with his batting form and has only managed 16 runs in three innings.
“Sanju is one knock away from getting that confidence, getting that form back. For us, building up to the World Cup it’s important for the guys to find that peak performance at the right time. He’s training well, he’s hitting the ball very well," Morkel was quoted as saying to reporters ahead of the fourth T20I.
“So, I think it’s just a matter of time for him to get his foot on the board. But the main focus is that the team is winning, and I think that’s important. We’re 3-0 up in this series at the moment, the boys are playing some very good cricket," he added.
The Indian team has already clinched the series after winning the first three matches and taking an unassailable lead. With two more encounters left, Morkel feels that the right-handed batter will get his form back.
“We’ve got a couple of games now before the start of the World Cup, and I have no doubt that Sanju will find his form," the South African added.
Even as an Ishan Kishan fan, I genuinely want Sanju Samson to find his form again.
— Abh𝐈shan 𝗖ricket𝐄ra (@BhardwazC2) January 27, 2026
The matches ahead are serious — it’s the T20 World Cup, not a small series.
For India, it’s important that every player is confident and in form.#indvsnzt20 #T20WC2026 pic.twitter.com/bUhOl0SKWD
India thumped New Zealand in the third T20I after chasing down a target of 154 runs in just 10 overs. Abhishek Sharma played an important role and notched up a 14-ball fifty. He eventually got 68* off 20. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also struck his second consecutive fifty to help India go over the line.
"This is the brand of cricket which we want to play, irrespective we are batting first or chasing. Of course, for example, if we are 20 for 3 or 40 for 4 tomorrow, we know how to bat. But if you want to play a different brand of cricket, then I think this is the best way going forward. And what do I say about the top 2-3 batters? They made my job very easy," Surya said after the third match.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Schedule announced Check All details
