While Shubman Gill failed again and again, Samson showed his magic in one go.Image Credit source: PTI

The demand that millions of Indian cricket fans and experts were making for many days was finally fulfilled in the last T20 match between India and South Africa. Also, this demand of everyone proved to be correct. Before the T20 World Cup 2026, due to the continuous failure of Team India's vice-captain Shubman Gill, there were calls to give a chance to Sanju Samson. This became possible due to Gill's injury and Samson showed in just one innings why the decision to remove him from the opening was wrong and why he should again be made the opener along with Abhishek Sharma for the World Cup.

Sanju Samson got a chance in the playing-11 of Team India in the last match of the T20 series against South Africa in Ahmedabad. Samson was not selected in the first 3 matches of the series. before the fourth match Shubman Gill's leg injured Due to which Samson's return was certain but due to fog the match could not take place. In such a situation, he had his last chance in Ahmedabad because Gill was out of the series and Samson capitalized on this opportunity very well.

One innings from Samson, heavy on Shubman Gill

Samson, who came to open with Abhishek Sharma, opened his account by hitting a six in the second over and after that he thrashed the South African bowlers. Samson, along with Abhishek Sharma, took Team India beyond 60 runs within the powerplay. Abhishek was out in the sixth over but Samson continued to rain even after this and was seen scoring boundaries with ease. However, despite a good start, he could not score a half-century and was out in the 10th over.

But by the time he was out, Samson had done what Shubman Gill could not do even in the three matches of this series. Samson played only one match in the series and played only 22 balls, but in this he scored more runs than Gill. Samson scored 37 runs in his 22-ball innings, which included 4 fours and 2 sixes. Whereas Gill faced 28 balls in 3 matches and scored only 32 runs. 6 fours came from his bat.

Will Agarkar-Gambhir change their decision?

Overall, Sanju Samson proved that the decision to drop him from the opening was not right. Even if this decision had been taken, Shubman Gill should have returned immediately after so many failures. The good thing is that Sanju Samson has played this innings just a day before the selection of Team India for the T20 World Cup. The team for the World Cup is to be announced on Saturday 20th December. In such a situation, Samson has now challenged Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and Coach Gautam Gambhir to take the right decision by showing his ability again.