India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak publicly backed struggling opener Sanju Samson ahead of the fifth T20I against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram, insisting the management still trusts the Kerala star despite a worrying run of low scores. Samson’s latest outing in Vizag yielded 24 before Mitchell Santner cleaned him up, and India were beaten by 50 runs — a result that sharpened questions over the veteran’s place as the World Cup looms.

Kotak struck a calm, measured tone in the pre-match media briefing. “Sanju is Sanju. Okay, probably he has not scored as many runs as everybody would have liked, but that’s part of the game,” he said.

ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Backs Arshdeep Singh For Key Role In India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Campaign

“Sometimes you have five innings in a row when you score heavily, and sometimes you don’t. So it’s all down to the individual and how he keeps his mind strong, and obviously our job is to keep him in a good frame of mind and make sure he practises and works hard. We all know what Sanju is capable of, so I don’t think there’s anything more to say about Sanju, because he’s been really good.”

Facts underline why patience is thinning. Across his last five T20I innings, Samson’s best is 37 (v South Africa in December), and the New Zealand series has produced just 40 runs from four innings. More worryingly, since 202,5 his returns as an opener read 128 runs from 10 innings at an average of 12.8 — he’s crossed the powerplay only twice in that spell. Those numbers, set against the imminent T20 World Cup 2026, make every outing crucial.

Compounding the selection dilemma is Ishan Kishan’s form, who has impressed while batting at No. 3 when given the chance, and the expected rehabilitation of Tilak Varma. If Tilak returns fully fit, the left-handed depth at the top could force the management into tough calls.

ALSO READ: Australia Make Late Changes to T20 World Cup Squad, Pat Cummins Out

Kotak’s message was clear: backing big players through lean patches is part of team building. But performance pressure is real — Samson needs a decisive innings soon to rediscover his aggressive touch and cement his spot. The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram offers a sympathetic stage; a strong home knock would not only silence critics but also provide India with the attacking solidity they want at the top as they finalise combinations for the World Cup.