Sanju Samson is going through a challenging phase with the bat after India’s T20 World Cup triumph in March 2026. The wicketkeeper-batter has struggled to maintain consistency in T20Is since the tournament, putting his recent form and position in India’s playing XI under increased scrutiny. Former India cricketer Hanuma Vihari has weighed in on Samson’s struggles, pointing towards the growing competition for places in India’s T20I squad.

According to Hanuma Vihari, repeated low scores and the emergence of young talent such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be adding pressure on the Kerala batter. Samson’s numbers since the T20 World Cup underline his difficult run. Across his last 11 T20I innings, he has scored 179 runs at an average of 16.27. His scores during this period have been 5, 0, 1, 27, 10, 57, 50, 9, 7, 2 and 11.

“The biggest question is another failure for Samson. How long a rope can he get? I am a big fan, and I would like him to play. But I think he is feeling insecure. He has also said before that when there is pressure from competition behind him, he cannot perform,” Hanuma Vihari said on his YouTube channel.

ALSO READ: Ravindra Jadeja’s Cryptic Post On BCCI Selector Vacancy Goes Viral After Ajit Agarkar’s Exit

Vihari recalled Samson’s struggles when Ishan Kishan returned to India’s setup before the World Cup and suggested that the emergence of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could create a similar situation.

“Pressure plays a big part. Most people do not understand it. Those who have played know it, but those who have not don’t get it. That’s why, in cricket, especially when playing for India, you need to be able to handle pressure,” he added.

Samson’s recent struggles have extended beyond bilateral T20Is. At the 2026 Asian Games, he scored seven runs in the semifinal against Sri Lanka and two in the final against Pakistan. He also managed nine runs in the one-off T20I against Japan.

However, there have been signs that Samson can still produce match-winning performances. Against Afghanistan, he scored 117 runs across three matches, including two half-centuries, showing his batting remains a major asset.

ALSO READ: Monty Panesar On Virat Kohli Retirement: Why India Star May Not Quit International Cricket Soon

The pressure increased after Samson scored 11 off nine balls in India’s first T20I against West Indies in Lucknow on October 6. India won by eight wickets, with captain Shreyas Iyer scoring his maiden T20I century during a successful chase of a 170-plus target. Despite Samson’s current lean patch, India’s team management has indicated its intention to persist with the World Cup-winning opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Samson, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to wait for further opportunities.