‘All I could do was sit quietly and clap’: Sanju Samson recalls heartbreak of T20 WC snub

Sanju Samson has opened up on one of the toughest phases of his international career, revealing that he knew his hopes of making India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 were over after a disappointing series against New Zealand and Ishan Kishan’s stunning rise.

The India wicketkeeper-batter admitted he could see the selectors’ thinking change as Kishan grabbed his opportunity with a string of match-winning performances.

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“Ishan came in, and his story was completely different. He wasn’t even in the team. He won Jharkhand the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy almost single-handedly, then came into the Indian team and was batting on a different level altogether,” Samson told JioStar.

“I could clearly see that Ishan was moving above me in the pecking order.”

While Kishan made an immediate impact, Samson struggled for runs during the five-match series, scoring 24, 6, 6, 10 and 0.

‘All I could do was sit quietly and clap’: Sanju Samson

The 31-year-old admitted those numbers left little room for debate over who deserved a place in India’s World Cup squad.

“You get five matches and score 24, 6, 6, 10 and 0, then another guy comes in, scores 70-odd straightaway, gets a hundred later in the series, and the next match is directly in the T20 World Cup.”

“Anyone would prefer an in-form batter. It was clear that the World Cup was done for me. Whatever had to happen had happened, and the only thing I could do was sit quietly and clap.”

Samson said the setback came just when he felt he had finally established himself in India’s T20I side after scoring three centuries in seven matches.

“That’s the spice of being an Indian cricketer. Everything can change in a single day,” he said.

“When I made those runs, people would say, ‘Now you’re sorted, you’re settled. You’ve made your position in T20Is.’ But in my mind, I couldn’t believe it.”

The Kerala batter admitted the New Zealand series was a harsh reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in T20 cricket.

Learning to prioritise mental well-being

Looking back, Samson said the difficult phase also changed the way he approached the game, teaching him that recovery and mental well-being are just as important as hours spent training.

“I realised I was overdoing it, and my wife was right. Being happy and mentally in a good space is much more important than putting in hours and hours of practice. The New Zealand series taught me that.”

The wicketkeeper-batter said the experience ultimately helped him find a healthier balance between preparation and performance as he continues his international career.