India‘s clash against Namibia at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 was expected to be a routine outing, but for Sanju Samson, it turned into another chapter of scrutiny and debate. The stylish wicketkeeper-batter, drafted into the playing XI in place of the unwell Abhishek Sharma, had a golden opportunity to cement his place. Instead, his brief stay at the crease sparked a storm online, with fans once again questioning his consistency on the international stage.
A blazing start, but short-lived for Sanju Samson
Walking in with intent, Samson wasted no time in announcing himself. He cracked boundaries at will, racing to 22 runs off just eight deliveries. The timing was sweet, the strokeplay elegant — a reminder of the immense talent that has long excited Indian cricket followers.
However, just as momentum seemed to be building, Samson fell attempting another attacking shot. The dismissal halted India’s early surge and reopened a familiar debate: brilliance in flashes, but not for long enough.
In T20 cricket, cameos often hold value, especially at a rapid strike rate. But in Samson’s case, expectations have always been different. Fans and analysts alike believe he possesses the ability to dominate bowling attacks and bat deep into the innings. That belief, while a compliment to his talent, has also intensified the criticism whenever he fails to convert starts into substantial contributions.
Within minutes of his dismissal, social media platforms were flooded with reactions. Memes, sarcastic posts, and sharp critiques began trending. Some users questioned why Samson continues to get chances, while others compared him with players waiting on the bench.
A section of fans argued that a 22-run blitz in a World Cup game should not be dismissed entirely, especially if it boosts the scoring rate early on. However, the louder voices focused on the missed opportunity. With India aiming to build momentum in the tournament, supporters expected a more decisive performance against a comparatively inexperienced Namibian attack.
The trolling reflected a broader frustration among fans who have seen Samson produce similar quick bursts in the past without converting them into match-defining knocks.
Also READ: IND vs NAM, T20 World Cup 2026: Here’s why Abhishek Sharma and Mohammed Siraj are not playing today’s match
Here’s how fans reacted:
Sanju Samson in T20is
58 matches
50 inninngs
1100 runs
23 avg
148
3 fifties
3 hundredsHis stats removing 3 hundreds
47 inninngs
773 runs
18 avg
135 SRThe biggest scam in Indian cricket!!#T20WorldCup #INDvsNAM pic.twitter.com/KXKMDsN0KA
— muntaha khan (@ishasingh0987) February 12, 2026
Sanju Samson today 🤣#INDvsNAM #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/nQAbSjxzIs
— RB. (@rahul4bisht) February 12, 2026
Sanju Samson 😀 pic.twitter.com/SircodcXoI
— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) February 12, 2026
Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav, thank you for your efforts, but ab aap dono cricket se retirement le le dhanywaad 🙏
— Aditi (@aditiraaaj) February 12, 2026
Sanju Samson in his last T20i innings:
26(20), 5(7), 3(6), 1(3), 16(7), 56(45), 13(17), 39(23), 24(21), 2(4), 37(22), 10(7), 6(5), 0(1), 24(15), 6(6), 28(8)*17 Average,
129 SR.
– How is this fraud minnow basher still getting chances? He should be kicked out. pic.twitter.com/3bD7COXSmi— EMROK , O (@vardhan_verma) February 12, 2026
Last time i saw Sanju Samson performing was before World War 2
#INDvNAM #ICCMensT20WorldCup #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/2yqExHlLMS
— Ajay Yadav🦁 (@ajayyadav000008) February 12, 2026
Samson in nets:
Samson in match: pic.twitter.com/UDF3VtXONX
— hitwicket (@shukla_ji27) February 12, 2026
“make it to the third over of the innings or rap in chinese”
sanju samson: pic.twitter.com/oxYMe6NJvy
— nini’s kaki (@cowboylikegill) February 12, 2026
Sanju Samson plays 2 good shots and I get my hopes up and then he gets out ..
The most inconsistent cricketer ever Man..😭pic.twitter.com/JeUWh3spqm
— saravanavelu (@saravanvelu2) February 12, 2026
Sanju Samson got a good start but couldn’t convert.
One more chance wasted successfully.— Sagarika Dixit (@saga__r) February 12, 2026
Also READ: Kris Srikkanth slams Nasser Hussain over BCCI’s control on ICC remark amid T20 World Cup 2026 controversy