Cricket, they say, is a game of fine margins. But on a humid Saturday night at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, those margins looked like a yawning chasm.
As the Indian team prepares to defend their T20 World Cup title next week, the narrative has shifted from "Who will open?" to a more brutal realization. After Ishan Kishan’s 103-run demolition of New Zealand, the internet has reached a consensus: the Jharkhand southpaw hasn't just knocked on the door of the playing XI; he might have just slammed it shut on Sanju Samson.
The Contrast: A Tale of Two Keepers
The 5th T20I was billed as a homecoming for Sanju Samson. Laser247 The local hero, finally getting a game at his home ground, was expected to cement his spot. Instead, the night belonged to the man who was, until recently, considered the "backup."
|
Feature |
Sanju Samson (5th T20I) |
Ishan Kishan (5th T20I) |
|---|---|---|
|
Score |
6 (6 balls) |
103 (43 balls) |
|
Sixes |
0 |
10 |
|
Series Average |
9.20 |
53.75 |
|
Series Strike Rate |
~90 |
231.18 |
While Samson trudged back to the pavilion in the third over after a thick outside edge, Kishan took the Black Caps to the cleaners. His century—the quickest ever against New Zealand—was a masterclass in modern T20 batting: fearless, innovative, and utterly relentless.
"Absolute Cinema": The Internet Passes Its Verdict
Social media didn’t hold back. For years, the "Sanju Samson vs Selection Committee" saga has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket discourse. However, after a series where Samson managed scores of 10, 6, 0, 24, and 6, the sympathy seems to have dried up.
One viral post on X (formerly Twitter) summed it up perfectly: "Ishan Kishan snatching Sanju Samson's WC spot at Thiruvananthapuram is absolute cinema."
The blunt truth is that Kishan brought the "intent" that coach Gautam Gambhir has been preaching. He didn't just score runs; he destroyed the opposition's morale. When Kishan traded his batting gloves for wicketkeeping gloves in the second innings, it felt like a symbolic passing of the torch right in front of Samson’s home crowd.
Expert Opinions: Gavaskar and Tharoor Weigh In
The sentiment isn't just limited to fan wars. Even legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar noted that India cannot "take chances" in a World Cup. Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar pointed out that while Samson's ability isn't in question, his form is a major liability. With Tilak Varma expected to return to the No. 3 spot, the competition for the opening slot alongside Abhishek Sharma is now effectively over.
Even Shashi Tharoor, a vocal supporter of Samson, admitted the Kerala batter seemed "out of luck," while describing Kishan’s innings as "fantastic" and "talented."
The Road to February 7
India begins its T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7. With Kishan finishing the series as India’s second-highest run-getter and boasting a strike rate of 231, the management's "good headache" has a very clear remedy.
Ishan Kishan came into this series with a point to prove after a long exile. He leaves it as the most devastating weapon in India's top order. For Sanju Samson, the wait for a consistent run continues, but in the unforgiving world of World Cup selection, "unlucky" is rarely enough to keep your spot.