'Without that you can't score runs' - Former India opener reveals reason behind Sanju Samson’s inconsistent career

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has revealed the biggest problem with Sanju Samson’s career that has been filled with ups and downs since his India debut in 2015. His remarks come ahead of India’s summit clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on March 8. 

It has been a fairytale journey for Sanju Samson in the ongoing multi-national event. After failing to get a place in the playing XI for the opening matches, he has roared back strongly with two career defining knocks that helped India reach the final of the World Cup.

The ace commentator believes that Samson always had the potential to reach the top, and his insane talent finally is getting its due. Chopra opined that when the Kerala opener finds his rhythm, he becomes unstoppable.

"Getting an opportunity is important. Without that you can't score runs. People who said his 24-run knock against Zimbabwe was enough are now saying, ‘This is what we want from Sanju,’ after his terrific batting displays against West Indies and England. If this is what he can do, then that 24-run knock was never the job done knock. He is this good. When Sanju gets going, he gets on a roll. A century against Bangladesh, two against South Africa, three centuries,” said Chopra on JioStar's show Follow The Blues.

But he further pointed out the biggest reason behind Samson’s mixed career so far, despite him making his India debut way back in 2015. According to the former opener, the wicketkeeper-batter struggles to find his mojo back once he loses it, and that is the reason he was never successful in finding himself playing regularly.

“But when he's on a bad run, a lot of games pass and he doesn’t score runs, due to which, a pattern of doubting his ability develops. We talk about 'justice for Sanju', but you also need luck. Sometimes you make your own luck. He has shown what he can do. Make the most of your chances. If you do, nobody can drop you.

“Against the West Indies, he stayed unbeaten till the end with 97. Then against England, after the dropped catch, he destroyed the opposition. That was brilliant. This is the kind of batting he is famous for," he concluded.

With Abhishek Sharma struggling to give the team solid starts, the onus will be on Samson to take the responsibility against New Zealand in the finals.