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Sourav Ganguly Backs Sanju Samson for Consistent India White-Ball Spot

Sourav Ganguly praised Sanju Samson's unbeaten 97-run knock as "outstanding" after it propelled India to a five-wicket win over West Indies in a crucial Super 8s match. The former captain strongly advocated for Samson's consistent inclusion in India's white-ball squads, highlighting his ability to damage the opposition once set. The victory in Kolkata secured India's place in the T20 World Cup semifinals, where they will face England. Ganguly noted that England would pose a stronger challenge than the West Indies team India just defeated.

Key Points: Ganguly: Sanju Samson Should Consistently Play for India

  • Samson's 97* guides India to T20 WC semis
  • Ganguly endorses his consistent selection
  • India beat WI in virtual quarterfinal
  • Set up semifinal clash against England
3 min read

Sanju Samson should consistently play for India in white-ball format, says Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly hails Sanju Samson's match-winning 97* vs WI, urging selectors to pick him consistently in India's white-ball teams.

"Outstanding. He's a very good player. He should consistently play for India in the white-ball. - Sourav Ganguly"

Kolkata, March 2

Former Indian cricket team captain and current president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Sourav Ganguly, called Sanju Samson's match-winning 97*-run innings "outstanding" and hailed him as a "very good player" after the wicket-keeper batter helped Team India reach the semis of the T20 World Cup 2026 by defeating West Indies in a must-win Super 8s clash.

Sanju Samson scored an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, helping India chase down a competitive 196-run target to guide Suryakumar Yadav's side to a five-wicket win in a do-or-die clash of the ongoing World Cup.

Speaking to reporters, Ganguly praised Samson and noted that he is a very good player and that he should consistently be playing in the white-ball format for India.

"Outstanding. He's a very good player. He should consistently play for India in the white-ball," Ganguly said.

Notably, both India and West Indies, tied on points in the Super 8s points table, needed to win the Kolkata fixture in order to join South Africa, New Zealand and England in the T20 WC semifinals. With the win, India set up their semis clash with England on March 5.

Ganguly said India vs West Indies clash was a virtual quarterfinal and praised Samson for his unbeaten 97, adding that when he gets set, he can seriously damage the opposition and showed awareness of the match situation.

"You know, when he gets in, he'll hurt the opposition. He played to the situation which is important," Ganguly added.

The former Indian cricketer, speaking on India facing England in the semis, said that the Three Lions will be a stronger opposition that West Indies.

Coming to the match, India won the toss and elected to field first. Roston Chase (40 in 25 balls, with five fours and a six) and skipper Shai Hope (32 in 33 balls, with three fours and a six) put on an opening stand of 68 runs for first wicket, but WI slipped to 119/4 in 14.1 overs, despite a fiery cameo by Shimron Hetmyer (27 in 12 balls, with a four and two sixes).

It was the pair of Jason Holder (37* in 22 balls, with two fours and three sixes) and Powell (34* in 19 balls, with three fours and two sixes) who put on a fiery stand of 76 runs in 35 balls, taking WI to 195/4 in 20 overs.

Jasprit Bumrah (2/36 in four overs) was India's leading bowler, with Varun Chakaravarthy and Hardik Pandya dropping a spell of 1/40 in four overs each.

In the run-chase, India was reduced to 41/2 within the powerplay. It was a 58-run stand between Samson and Suryakumar Yadav (18), which brought the chase back on track. Then Sanju went on to stitch partnerships with Tilak Varma (27 in 15 balls, with four boundaries and a six), Hardik Pandya (17) and Shivam Dube (8*), taking India to a five-wicket win.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
That innings was pure class under pressure! 🏏 But let's be honest, we've seen this before. He plays a blinder, then goes quiet for a few games and is immediately replaced. The team management needs to show more faith. A player like Sanju needs a longer rope to express himself.
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Rohit P
Respectfully, I have to disagree with Ganguly sir here. While Sanju is brilliant on his day, his inconsistency is a problem. We have Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant (when fit), Jitesh Sharma... competition is tough. You can't just gift a spot based on one innings. Performance over reputation, always.
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Sarah B
As a cricket fan living abroad, it's frustrating to watch. The Indian team often seems to have favorites. Samson's strike rate and ability to take on spin in the middle overs is something we lack. Give him 15 games straight, then judge. This stop-start career isn't helping anyone.
V
Vikram M
Ganguly is absolutely right. We need match-winners, not just accumulators. Look at how he paced that chase! From 41/2, he took responsibility. That's the sign of a big player. BCCI should make him a permanent feature in T20Is and ODIs. Enough of the musical chairs.
K
Kavya N
Yaar, it's so simple. He performs in the IPL every year. He performs when given a chance for India. What more does he have to do? Maybe he's from a smaller cricket association? Doesn't have the right "connections"? This bias needs to stop. Talent should be

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