Mishra Questions Samson's 2026 T20 World Cup Chances

Amit Mishra Questions Sanju Samson's Inclusion in 2026 T20 World Cup Squad

Former India spinner Amit Mishra has sparked a debate by expressing doubts over Sanju Samson's chances of featuring in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. Mishra, who last played for India in 2017, believes that Samson's age and the emergence of younger players could hinder his selection.

"I don't think that Samson will play the next World Cup because he is now 34 years old," Mishra said on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast 'Unplugged.' "There are many young players, and Virat Kohli brought forth this concept that young players perform more in T20 cricket."

Samson, 29, was part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team but did not play a single match, with Rishabh Pant preferred as the wicketkeeper-batter. Mishra acknowledged that an exceptional performance could earn Samson a spot in the 2026 squad, but he emphasized the need for consistency.

"He can play the next World Cup, but he will have to perform extraordinarily well in order to be selected," Mishra said. "Either he is now in the team, so he should maintain his position until the next World Cup, otherwise, it will be very difficult."

Mishra pointed to the emergence of young players like Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant as potential threats to Samson's selection. He also highlighted the importance of experience in T20 cricket, despite the emphasis on youth.

"The mindset of T20 cricket is around young players, but it is the seniors who win you the game in T20s as experience matters in the shortest format," Mishra said.

Mishra's comments come amid a changing landscape in Indian cricket. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja have all retired from T20Is, leaving the team with a mix of experienced and young players. Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah are among the senior players who will be expected to guide the team in the coming years.

Tags: #SanjuSamson, #AmitMishra, #T20WorldCup, #IndianCricket, #YoungPlayers