India’s decision to replace Sanju Samson with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the second T20I against England has reignited a familiar debate among cricket fans. Why does Sanju Samson always seem to be the first player under pressure when team changes are made?
The answer lies in one of the most fascinating and frustrating careers in Indian cricket. Samson possesses undeniable talent, explosive stroke play, and match-winning ability. Yet, inconsistency continues to haunt his international journey.
Sanju Samson’s T20I Numbers Tell Two Different Stories
On paper, Samson’s T20I record appears impressive. The wicketkeeper-batter has scored 1,405 runs in 57 innings at a strike rate of 155.42, including three centuries, six half-centuries, and 84 sixes.
However, a deeper look reveals the challenge selectors continue to face. Samson averages just 27.02, has registered eight ducks, and has been dismissed for less than 20 runs in 35 of his 57 innings.
His career has been defined by moments of brilliance followed by extended lean patches.
Brilliance Without Consistency
The biggest concern surrounding Samson is his inability to consistently replicate his best performances.
Out of his 1,405 T20I runs, an astonishing 793 runs have come from just nine innings where he scored 50 or more. That means nearly 56.4 percent of his total runs have been accumulated in only nine knocks.
Remove those innings, and Samson’s remaining tally stands at just 612 runs in 48 innings, highlighting the extreme highs and lows that have defined his international career.
His three T20I centuries — 111, 107, and 109* — account for 327 runs, nearly a quarter of his overall tally. While those innings showcased his world-class potential, they also underline how heavily his numbers rely on a handful of exceptional performances.
The Pattern That Keeps Returning
One of the most frustrating aspects of Samson’s career has been his inability to build momentum after major scores.
- After scoring 77, he followed it with scores of 30*, 15, 5, 12, and 7.
- After a 58-run knock, he registered 0, 0, and 29.
- Following back-to-back centuries of 111 and 107, he recorded two consecutive ducks.
- After his unbeaten 109, he managed only 26, 5, 3, 1, and 16 in the next five innings.
The pattern has repeated itself throughout his international career — a spectacular peak followed by a prolonged dip.
Opening Role Improved Results But Not Stability
Samson has enjoyed greater success as an opener, scoring 932 runs in 31 innings with a strike rate close to 179.
Yet even in that role, inconsistency remains evident. Eighteen of those 31 innings ended below 20 runs, while 14 were single-digit scores and five ended in ducks.
His opening role maximized his attacking strengths but failed to eliminate the volatility that has followed him throughout his career.
World Cup Heroics Offered Hope
During the recent World Cup, Samson appeared to finally overcome his long-standing inconsistency issues.
Scores of 97*, 89, and 89 in consecutive matches suggested he had evolved into the reliable match-winner India had long hoped for.
For perhaps the first time, Samson wasn’t producing isolated flashes of brilliance. He was delivering consistently and influencing matches repeatedly.
Unfortunately, the momentum did not last.
His next three innings produced scores of just 5, 0, and 1, bringing back familiar concerns and reopening the selection debate.
Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Changed Everything
This time, however, the circumstances were different.
Samson was not competing against an experienced backup player. Instead, he found himself competing with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a teenage prodigy widely viewed as one of India’s brightest future stars.
In most situations, selectors might have shown greater patience toward a player who had recently delivered match-winning performances at a major tournament. But with a generational talent waiting for an opportunity, Samson’s latest slump became increasingly difficult to overlook.
Why The Question Still Remains
Despite being dropped, Samson’s story is far from over.
His international career remains one of cricket’s most compelling contradictions. Few players possess his ability to dominate bowling attacks, change games in a matter of overs, and produce unforgettable innings.
Yet few players have also struggled so frequently to convert those moments into sustained success.
That is why the phrase “Why always Sanju?” continues to resonate with fans.
It reflects sympathy, frustration, and reality all at once. Samson has occasionally been unfortunate, but he has also left himself vulnerable through recurring periods of poor form.
Brilliance vs Trust: The Ongoing Battle
Sanju Samson’s biggest challenge has never been talent. India knows exactly how talented he is. The hundreds, fearless batting, explosive starts, and World Cup heroics have all proven his quality.
The real challenge is trust.
Every spectacular performance renews belief. Every string of low scores revives doubt.
As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi begins his international journey, Samson once again finds himself fighting the same battle that has followed him throughout his career — the battle between undeniable brilliance and lasting consistency.
For now, the debate continues. India still believes in Samson’s talent. The question is whether he can finally provide the consistency needed to turn belief into certainty.
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