India Bowling Coach Backs Sanju Samson to Regain Form Before T20 World Cup

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed Sanju Samson to play his way out of a lean patch, insisting the wicketkeeper-batter is training well and is only one innings away from regaining form ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Samson has struggled in the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand, scoring 10, 6 and 0 in the first three matches to total just 16 runs. His difficulties were most evident in the third T20I in Guwahati, where he was dismissed for a golden duck after being beaten for pace by Matt Henry. Despite the modest returns, Morkel played down concerns, stressing that fluctuations in form are a natural part of the game.

“Sanju is one knock away from finding his form back. Form is temporary,” Morkel said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “As we build towards the World Cup, it’s important for players to peak at the right time. He’s training well and striking the ball cleanly, so it’s only a matter of time.”

India, meanwhile, remain firmly in control of the series. With a 3-0 lead, they have already sealed the contest and continue to underline their credentials as one of the favourites for the upcoming 20-team World Cup. Under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, India have now gone unbeaten in their last nine bilateral T20I series, with most combinations appearing settled.

Samson’s lack of runs, however, is the one lingering concern, particularly with competition intensifying for places at the top of the order. Morkel reiterated that team results outweigh individual slumps. “The main thing is that the team is winning. We’re 3-0 up, the boys are playing good cricket, and we still have a couple of games before the World Cup. I have no doubt Sanju will score runs,” he added.

The New Zealand series marks Samson’s first run as an opener in T20Is since the England tour in January 2025. During last year’s Asia Cup, Shubman Gill took over the opening slot after being named vice-captain, pushing Samson down the order despite the Kerala batter enjoying a prolific 2024 that included three T20I centuries. Gill’s struggles in 2025 eventually led to his omission from both the New Zealand series and the World Cup squad, reopening the door for Samson.

Expectations were high as Samson was slotted in to open alongside Abhishek Sharma, but his returns have yet to match the promise. In contrast, Ishan Kishan—brought into the playing XI as cover for the injured Tilak Varma—has made a strong case with scores of 8, 76 and 28, intensifying the debate over India’s opening combination.

With the series already secured, India are unlikely to rush into changes. The fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, followed by the final match, offers Samson a limited but vital opportunity to translate backing from the team management into runs and quieten questions over his place ahead of the World Cup.