Akhtar Claims Gambhir Forced Samson Selection Amid World Cup Heroics
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar states that India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir had to “fight with everyone” within the team management to secure Sanju Samson’s return to the playing XI during the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The revelation follows Samson’s match-winning performances against the West Indies and England, propelling India into the final against New Zealand.
Gambhir’s Ultimatum on Selection
Speaking on PTV Sports’ show ‘Game On Hai,’ Akhtar disclosed that Samson’s inclusion was not a consensus decision. The wicketkeeper-batter was initially benched but was drafted back into the side following India’s loss to South Africa. According to Akhtar, Gambhir strongly advocated for the 31-year-old despite resistance.
“Samson has been in the Indian cricket circuit since 2014,” Akhtar said. “Even now, Gambhir has fought with everyone to get him into the team. Basically, his selection has been done forcefully and after a lot of scrutiny. He didn’t feature in the tournament initially.”
Akhtar, who worked in India during the 2015 IPL season, noted that Samson often faced delays in securing regular opportunities due to the presence of established keepers like MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik.
Sanju Samson: T20 World Cup 2026 Statistics
Since his return to the lineup, Samson has delivered high-impact performances, averaging over 77 with a strike rate exceeding 200. His 97 against the West Indies in a virtual quarter-final chase remains his highest score of the tournament.
| Metric | Performance Data |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 4 |
| Total Runs | 232 |
| Batting Average | 77.33 |
| Strike Rate | 201.73 |
| Highest Score | 97* (vs West Indies) |
| Total Sixes | 16 |
Records Broken: Surpassing Rohit and Equaling Kohli
Samson’s aggressive batting has rewritten Indian statistical records in T20 World Cup history.
- Most Sixes in a Single Edition (India): Samson has hit 16 sixes in the 2026 campaign, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by Rohit Sharma during the 2024 edition.
- Highest Knockout Score (India): His 89 off 42 balls against England in the semi-final equaled Virat Kohli’s record for the highest score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup knockout match. Kohli scored an identical 89* off 47 balls against the West Indies in the 2016 semi-final at Mumbai.
The Indian cricket team now prepares to face the New Zealand national cricket team in the final, with Samson expected to retain his spot at number three or four depending on the tactical matchup.