Ahmedabad: Sanju Samson’s gritty 37 off 21 balls in the fifth T20I against South Africa not only bolstered India’s commanding 231/5 but also saw him outshine teammate Shubman Gill in the series run tally, sparking debates about his role in India’s T20 setup.
The Men in Blue’s 30-run victory at Narendra Modi Stadium sealed a 3-1 series triumph, with Samson’s cameo proving pivotal.
Opening the batting with Abhishek Sharma, Sanju unleashed a flurry of boundaries, including two sixes, before falling to George Linde. Samson’s batting, coupled with his electric wicketkeeping, has reignited calls for a permanent spot, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup looming.
The match itself was a spectacle, with Hardik Pandya’s explosive 63 and Tilak Varma’s 73 powering India’s total. South Africa’s chase, led by Quinton de Kock’s 65, faltered against Varun Chakravarthy’s four-wicket haul, ending at 201/8.
Ahmedabad’s vibrant crowd braved air quality concerns to cheer India’s 14th straight T20I series win, a testament to their dominance.
Samson’s performance has put selectors on notice. As India gears up for a packed 2026, his versatility could be a game-changer. Fans currently have a lot to celebrate thanks to the Kerala batter’s flair.