Sanju Samsons horror run continues as Matt Henry cleans him up on Golden Duck in India-New Zealand 3rd T20I
Sanju Samson's rough patch with the bat continued in the third T20I against New Zealand on Sunday as he was dismissed on a Golden Duck by pacer Matt Henry.
Team India opener Sanju Samson failed to deliver again as his horror run with the bat continued in the third T20I against New Zealand at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, January 25. Samson was dismissed on a Golden Duck by New Zealand pacer Matt Henry during India's run chase after the hosts restricted the Kiwis to 153/9, batting first.
Samson opened the batting with Abhishek Sharma and was dismissed on the very first ball of India's innings as Henry rattled his stumps with a brilliant delivery. The pacer produced an in-swinging delivery which breached Samson's defence and rattled his stumps, leaving him stunned in the middle.
The Indian opener went for a flick, but the ball brushed his back leg before crashing onto the stumps as he was sent packing even before managing to open his account. Samson's failure in the third T20I means he has now failed to make an impact in any of the three matches in the ongoing series against New Zealand.
The explosive right-hander, who is known for his attacking game at the top, has managed only 16 runs in three matches against the Kiwis in the ongoing series. He was dismissed cheaply on 10 runs in the series opener in Nagpur, before managing only 6 runs in the 2nd T20I in Raipur on Friday.
Samson was expected to bounce back among the runs in the third T20I in Guwahati on Sunday. However, he was removed cheaply on a duck by Henry, who got New Zealand off to a flying start with the ball. Samson now has seven ducks for India in T20Is, only behind Rohit Sharma, who was dismissed on ducks 12 times in his career.
Pressure on Sanju Samson ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
While his poor form is set to increase India's headache ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, pressure will also intensify on Samson. The right-hander had formed a destructive opening pairing with Abhishek for India in T20Is, before Shubman Gill replaced him at the top during the Asia Cup 2025 last year.
Samson regained his opening slot after the selectors dropped Gill from India's T20I squad for the New Zealand series and the T20 World Cup 2026. However, he has failed to justify the faith shown in him with consistent failures. With Ishan Kishan in the squad and in top-notch form, Samson's opening slot could come under the scanner if his poor run continues against the Kiwis.