Will Sanju Samson Lose His India T20 Spot? Rising Star Threat Revealed! - BEST11.IN

The 2025 IPL season was not great for Malayali star and Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson. Unlike previous seasons where the Royals performed well, they finished ninth this time. Alongside the team's poor performance, injuries and fitness issues turned Sanju's season into a disaster. Fans are now worried whether this poor IPL performance will impact Sanju's Indian career. For the past few years, Sanju Samson has been an integral part of India’s T20 team.

Alongside Abhishek Sharma, he is the team's opener. However, post the 2025 IPL season, Sanju's position in the T20 team faces increased threats. The primary challenge comes from Punjab Kings’ opener Prabhsimran Singh, who played a crucial role in Punjab Kings’ journey to the IPL final in 2025. Prabhsimran scored 549 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 160.52, including four half-centuries. His excellent form in the IPL and earlier in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Punjab strengthens his claim for a spot in India’s T20 team. As an opening batter and wicketkeeper, Prabhsimran poses a significant challenge to Sanju. Given Sanju’s recent fitness and form struggles, it wouldn’t be surprising if Prabhsimran gets a call-up for India’s next T20 series.

Sanju Samson played only nine matches in the 2025 IPL season, scoring 285 runs at a strike rate of 140.39, with just one half-century in the first match. Toward the end of the season, Sanju shifted from opening to batting at number three to accommodate Vaibhav Suryavanshi as an opener. Since the 2024 series against Bangladesh, Sanju has been India’s T20 opener. He scored a brilliant century in the final match of that series and followed it with two centuries during the South Africa tour. Just when it seemed Sanju had secured his spot in India’s T20 team, he flopped in the series against England, and his inability to regain form in the IPL added to his setbacks.

India’s next T20 series is against Bangladesh in August, featuring three matches. It remains to be seen whether Sanju retains his spot or if selectors opt for a surprise pick like Prabhsimran. Besides Prabhsimran, other IPL performers are also in contention for India’s T20 team. Another wicketkeeper, Jitesh Sharma, is eyeing a spot. Jitesh delivered a notable performance for the IPL-winning RCB, excelling in the finisher’s role. His ability to finish games makes him a standout, positioning him as a strong candidate for the wicketkeeper-batter role post-Dhoni. Who will secure a place in the team and who might lose their spot will be clear before the next T20 series.