Ajinkya Rahane has urged the India management to keep backing Sanju Samson as the opener battles form ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Rahane — the composed, old-school presence in the dressing room — believes this is exactly the moment when clear leadership and patient support can help Samson find his rhythm again.

Samson’s struggles continued in Guwahati, where he fell for a golden duck, leaving him with just 16 runs from three matches in the ongoing India vs New Zealand T20I series. Those numbers make for uncomfortable reading, but Rahane argues that form is temporary while skill and temperament are permanent.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, he said management and captain Suryakumar Yadav are likely to persist with Samson because backing quality players through lean patches is crucial for long-term gains.

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“Sanju’s a quality player. He just needs to believe in himself,” Ajinkya Rahane observed. “Sometimes in this format you’re going to look ugly when you get out — and that’s okay. It’s about belief, freedom, and backing yourself.”

The former India vice-captain was emphatic that Samson shouldn’t be forced to imitate the approach of others, particularly Abhishek Sharma, who has been devastating at the top and produced yet another blazing fifty to seal an emphatic win. Rahane’s advice is pragmatic: rather than chasing fireworks from the first ball, Samson should focus on getting through the early overs, rebuild confidence with measured starts, and then accelerate.

“Think about the good innings you’ve played for Rajasthan Royals and express yourself,” Ajinkya Rahane suggested. “Even a 15-ball 25 or a 20-ball 30 can set the tone.”

Statistically, Samson’s recent returns as an opener are concerning—104 runs in nine innings at an average of 11.55—but Rahane’s message is that numbers alone don’t capture a player’s potential. With India already having wrapped up the series, attention now shifts to Vizag and the selectors’ dilemma: persist with Samson’s proven talent or hand the top-order reins to Tilak Varma, who could offer a fresh, explosive option.

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For now, Rahane is backing patience — a measured, cricketing approach that often wins over panic. The upcoming matches in Vizag will tell: if Samson responds India will have top-order flexibility; if not, selectors face a performance-driven choice before the World Cup. Fans and management watch closely.