“What Happened Was Unfair”: The Stunning Remark That Could Save Sanju Samson’s World Cup Dream?

In the ruthless ecosystem of Indian cricket, “fairness” is often the first casualty. No one knows this better than Sanju Samson, a player whose career has been a montage of breathtaking highs and baffling exclusions.

As the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 enters its final critical phase, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has thrown a grenade into the selection debate. Speaking amidst India’s ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, Pathan has publicly labeled the past treatment of Samson as “unfair”—a statement that validates the frustrations of millions of fans.

But there is a twist. While defending Samson’s past, Pathan has also delivered a reality check about his present: Perform now, or make way for Ishan Kishan.

The “Unfair” Demotion: What is Pathan Referring To?

Sanju Samson’s career has been plagued by a lack of role clarity. Often an opener or No. 3 for his franchise, he has frequently been shunted down to No. 5 or No. 6 in national colors—positions that require a different tempo and mindset.

Speaking to RevSportz, Pathan didn’t mince words:

“Personally, I would like to see Sanju Samson getting some runs and getting the position which he is there for a long period of time, because what happened was unfair to him, right?”

Pathan’s argument is simple: You cannot judge a Ferrari by how well it drives off-road. By constantly shifting Samson’s batting position, the management denied him the consistency required to succeed at the international level. Now, as he finally gets a run in the top order, the pressure of past failures is weighing heavy.

The Current Crisis: Numbers That Worry

Sympathy, however, has a shelf life. Samson is currently enduring a nightmare run in the home series against New Zealand.

With the World Cup squad deadline looming, his bat has gone silent at the worst possible moment.

Table 1: Sanju Samson’s Struggles vs New Zealand (2026 Series)

Analysis: A total of 40 runs in 4 matches is undefendable for a top-order batter, especially when chasing a World Cup spot. The strike rate of 102.56 is particularly concerning for a player known for his explosive starts.

The Ishan Kishan Threat

While Pathan defended Samson’s history, he was pragmatic about the future. The resurgence of Ishan Kishan—a left-hander who attacks from ball one—looms large over Samson.

Pathan added a crucial caveat to his support:

“If Samson does not score runs and the team management replaces him with Ishan Kishan, you can understand that decision.”

This is the pivotal point. The “unfair” card can only be played for so long. If Samson fails to capitalize on his current run of games, bringing in Kishan ceases to be “unfair”—it becomes a tactical necessity. The 5th T20I against New Zealand could well be a shootout for the reserve wicket-keeper slot.

The “Missing Link”: Why Tilak Varma is Crucial

Beyond the Samson vs Kishan debate, Irfan Pathan highlighted a third name that could be the key to India’s World Cup campaign: Tilak Varma.

Currently sidelined with an injury, Tilak offers something the others don’t: Percentage Cricket.

In the spin-friendly conditions of India and Sri Lanka (the 2026 hosts), you don’t just need six-hitters; you need batters who can manipulate the field when the ball starts to grip.

Pathan’s Assessment on Tilak:

“When there is pressure, or when the ball starts to grip, he will come into play… In this team everyone plays aggressive, which is fantastic, but you need a player like Tilak Varma.”

Table 2: The Middle Order Options for World Cup 2026

Conclusion: The Final Lifeline?

Irfan Pathan’s comments serve as both a shield and a sword for Sanju Samson.

By acknowledging the “unfair” treatment of the past, Pathan has validated Samson’s struggle. But by pointing to the door where Ishan Kishan is waiting, he has highlighted the brutal reality of the present.

The 5th T20I isn’t just another game. For Sanju Samson, it is a final opportunity to prove that his talent is worth the patience. As Pathan suggests, fairness works both ways—the team must back the player, but the player must eventually repay that faith with runs.

Will Samson rise to the occasion, or is the Ishan Kishan era about to begin? The upcoming 5th T20I will reveal all.