Irfan Pathan’s Emotional Plea For Sanju Samson/sbkinews.in
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan made headlines with his stunning defense of Sanju Samson, declaring “what happened was unfair” after the Kerala batter’s dismal NZ T20I series and benching, insisting Samson deserves a fixed spot in the batting order rather than sporadic opportunities that expose his inconsistency.
Pathan’s passionate backing comes amid the fierce opener debate sparked by Ishan Kishan’s maiden T20I ton in the 5th match, which buried Samson’s case further with just 24 runs across three games at SR109, contrasting Kishan’s explosive 102 off 52 that clinched 1,000 T20I runs and cemented his World Cup opener credentials.
As selectors weigh WC 2026 slots, Pathan’s call highlights Samson’s feast-or-famine genius—highlighted by rare hundreds—but underscores the brutal reality of T20’s results-driven pecking order where pressure starts haunt the once-hyped white-ball prodigy.
Pathan’s rare public advocacy reignites the talent-vs-consistency war.
Irfan Pathan’s Outburst: Full Context And Rationale
Pathan, speaking on his YouTube show post-5th T20I, didn’t mince words:
“Sanju Samson is unfairly treated. Three games, zero support, dropped. What happened was unfair—he needs consistent chances like Rohit got early career. Genius demands patience.”
Key Arguments:
Samson’s Kerala Ranji form (450 runs @SR160).
Pressure of “next big thing” since 2014 debut.
Comparisons to Kishan’s ducks-yet-century arc.
Pathan positions as Samson’s unlikely champion amid fan #DropSanju frenzy.
Samson’s NZ Nightmare: 24 Runs In 3 Games
Dismal Stats:
| Match | Score | Balls | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 3 | c Phillips b Boult |
| 2nd | 9 | 11 | c Williamson b Southee |
| 3rd | 15 | 12 | c Mitchell b Duffy |
| Series Avg/SR | 8/109 | – | – |
No fifties despite flat pitches; dot-ball % 32 (team avg 22).
Kishan Century Contrast: Selection Flip
Ishan Kishan’s 102* (52b) in finale—after three ducks—flipped narrative:
1,000 T20I runs milestone.
SR196 vs spin (Samson 98).
Left-right opener fix with Abhishek.
Pathan counters: “Kishan bounced back once—Samson needs same rope.”
Pathan’s Advocacy History: Pattern Of Defender
Past Defenses:
Backed Prithvi Shaw post-ENG flop (2021).
Championed Shreyas Iyer over Rahul (2022).
Samson since IPL 2021 Orange Cap contention.
Critics: “Pathan favors flair over stats—nostalgia bias.”
T20 World Cup Selector Puzzle: Samson Viable?
WC Contention Matrix:
| Player | Top-Order Avg | SR vs Spin | WC Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ishan | 35 | 175 | 85% |
| Samson | 18 | 142 | 25% |
| Jaiswal | 42 | 165 | 70% |
Pathan pushes No.4 “finisher specialist” role for Samson.
Samson’s Feast-Or-Famine Career Arc
T20I Peaks:
117 vs SA (2022)—then 6 single-digits.
IPL 2025: 452 @152 (RR playoffs).
Domestic: 785 @175 Kerala T20.
Mental Block: 45% post-20 scores fail conversion.
Fan Divide: #JusticeForSanju Vs #KishanEra
Social Metrics:
#DropSanju: 2.1M posts.
Pathan clip: 1.8M views (“Irfan right” 60%).
Kerala: Defend local hero.
Expert Counterpoints: Gavaskar Weighs In
Gavaskar: “Pathan emotional—stats rule. Kishan WC ready.”
Hussey: “Samson needs 10-game run, but WC waits for none.”
Pathan retorts: “Consistency built through chances.”
Technical Comparison: Kishan Vs Samson Arsenal
| Shot Type | Kishan SR | Samson SR |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 210 | 128 |
| Spin Middle | 175 | 165 |
| Death Pace | 195 | 152 |
Samson edges spin artistry; Kishan overall devastation.
Pathan’s Selection Wishlist: WC XI With Samson
Proposed: Abhishek-Kishan open; SKY3; Samson4; Tilak5.
Rationale: “Samson’s 360 vs spin-heavy Scotland/UAE.”
IPL Lifeline: RR Retention Stakes
Samson 2026: ₹8cr base risk if T20I dropped.
Pathan: “IPL hundreds = WC recall path.”
Youth Impact: Samson As Inspiration
Kerala academies: “Pathan right—geniuses persevere.”
Historical Precedents: Players Pathan Backed
| Player | Pathan Defense Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Samson | 2026 | WC Verdict Pending |
| Shaw | 2021 | IPL Revival |
| Iyer | 2022 | WC Star |
65% success rate.
Mental Resilience Gap: Pathan’s Core Thesis
“Samson overthinks—no.3 shuffle kills rhythm. Fixed spot = 40 avg.”
NCA psychologist nods partial validity.
Series Context: 3-2 Despite Flaws
Kishan’s ton papers cracks; Pathan: “Team depth allows Samson luxury.”
Verdict Scenarios: WC Team Sheet
Pathan Wins (30%): Samson No.4 utility.
Stats Rule (70%): Kishan-Abhishek lock.
Samson middle-order bench.
Pathan’s passion vs cold metrics—WC selectors decide.
