 "‘When Sanju Samson plays…’: India’s star wicketkeeper-batter backed to open in T20 World Cup after whirlwind knock")
Sanju Samson once again made a strong case for himself as India’s T20 World Cup opener after an explosive knock in the fifth T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Friday. Fans and experts were quick to react after the wicketkeeper-batter gave India a flying start at the top.
Opening the innings in place of the injured Shubman Gill, Samson smashed 37 off just 22 balls, striking four boundaries and two sixes. His aggressive approach helped India race ahead in the powerplay and set the tone for a big total at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
During his innings, Samson also crossed the landmark of 1000 runs in T20 internationals. The 31-year-old became the 14th Indian batter to achieve the feat, joining an elite list led by former captain Rohit Sharma. Samson reached the milestone in his 52nd T20I.
Experts back Samson to open in T20 World Cup
Social media lit up soon after Samson’s dismissal, with many fans saying that India look more dangerous at the top when he plays. Several former cricketers and analysts also backed him to continue opening in the shortest format, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind.
When Sanju Samson plays you get to see attack from both the ends.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 19, 2025
BCCI will declare T20 WC team tomorrow.
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) December 19, 2025
Sanju Samson has great timing, not just in batting pic.twitter.com/UILBE92ARM
Quick Reads
View AllSanju Samson in this T20 series:
— Dev (@refocus21) December 19, 2025
> Benched for 3 matches despite Shubman Gill’s continuous failures
> Completely ignored by Gambhir
> Then Gill got injured
> Sanju Samson finally got his chance
> 4th match washed out due to weather
> Got a chance in the last match
> outscored… pic.twitter.com/synTZZNVp6
One things for sure when Abhishek & Samson opens. Every ball is a event!!Bowlers are scared and that’s the kind of fear you want to instill in the opponent.Sanju to open for wc pls ? #samson #INDvSA
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) December 19, 2025
If Sanju Samson still doesn’t get to open in the T20 World Cup, I will lose the 30% remaining faith I still have in this management.
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) December 19, 2025
Samson, who was drafted into the playing XI after Gill picked up a toe injury, looked confident from the start. India’s strong start was carried forward by Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, who ensured the scoring rate never dropped.
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