Sanju Samson Emotional After T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Selection

Star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson expressed heartfelt gratitude after being named in India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced the squad on December 20, confirming Samson as the team’s primary wicketkeeping option. Sharing an emotional message on Instagram with the caption “Colours will not fade, definitely!!!,” the 31-year-old Kerala star pledged to deliver an impactful performance as India prepares to defend its T20 World Cup title in February.

A Pivotal Shift in India’s Opening Strategy

Samson’s selection marks a significant change in India’s top-order approach, as he will partner Abhishek Sharma at the opening position. This move comes at the expense of Shubman Gill, who was omitted from the squad entirely due to recent form concerns. The decision reflects a shift toward Samson’s explosive scoring abilities and proven reliability behind the stumps. After years of inconsistent selection policies that sidelined him in favor of other players, Samson has finally secured the first-choice opener role.

Samson’s Impressive Recent Form Solidifies Selection

The 31-year-old’s pathway back to the World Cup squad was cemented during the final South Africa series match, where he replaced an injured Shubman Gill. Samson capitalized immediately, striking a fluent 37 runs off just 22 deliveries. This aggressive cameo reminded selectors of his ability to provide explosive starts at the top of the order, ultimately securing his cornerstone position in India’s squad for the mega-event. His journey reflects determination and patience through previous selection setbacks.

India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan.