The final T20I between India and New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram was supposed to be a homecoming celebration for Sanju Samson. Instead, it might have been the night the door firmly closed on his hopes for a starting spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

While India clinched the series 4-1 with a dominant 46-run victory on Saturday, the tactical shifts behind the scenes—and the scoreboard—painted a worrying picture for the Kerala star.

The "6-Run" Heartbreak at Home

Entering the fifth T20I, the spotlight was fixed on Samson. After a series of low scores ($10, 6, 0, 24$), he needed a "statement innings" Magicwin at his home ground, the Greenfield International Stadium. Instead, he perished for just 6 runs off 6 balls, falling to a Lockie Ferguson delivery in the third over.

This brought his series total to a dismal 46 runs across five innings, averaging a mere $9.20$. In a format where momentum is everything, Samson’s form appears to have deserted him at the most critical juncture.

The Mid-Match Shift: Losing the Gloves

Perhaps the biggest "signal" wasn't his batting, but what happened when India took the field to defend their mammoth total of $271/5$. Despite being the designated wicketkeeper for the first three matches, Samson was relieved of his duties behind the stumps.

Ishan Kishan, who had just smashed a breathtaking maiden T20I century ($103$ off $43$ balls), took over the wicketkeeping gloves.

Why this matters:

1. Direct Competition: With Tilak Varma expected to return to the No. 3 spot for the World Cup, the battle for the second opening slot (alongside Abhishek Sharma) is a straight shootout between Samson and Kishan.

2. The "Keeping" Factor: If Ishan Kishan can open, keep wickets, and maintain his blistering form, he becomes a "three-in-one" asset that is impossible to ignore.

3. The Captain's Logic: While Suryakumar Yadav played down the move as "pre-planned," seeing Kishan with the gloves while Samson fielded in the deep felt like a clear audition for the World Cup starting XI.

What the Experts Are Saying

The legendary Sunil Gavaskar didn't mince words following the match. Speaking to the broadcasters, Gavaskar noted:

"You can’t take chances in a World Cup. Sanju has had all five matches... his highest score is 24. Unless Tilak Varma isn’t fit, I can’t see Sanju being part of the XI on February 7."

The sentiment is shared by many who believe that while Samson’s talent is undeniable (as seen by his two centuries in South Africa late in 2024), his inconsistency in "clutch" series like this one against the Black Caps is becoming a recurring theme.

The T20 World Cup Verdict

India opens their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7. With Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan firing at the top, and Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya anchoring the middle order, the "Samson Experiment" at the top of the order seems to have hit a dead end.

The Big Signal: Samson might still make the 15-man squad due to his versatility, but his "important duty" as a primary opener and first-choice keeper has likely been handed over to Ishan Kishan.

For Sanju Samson fans, it’s a familiar story of "what could have been." For Team India, it’s a "good headache" solved just in time for their title defense.