T20 World Cup 2026: Suresh Raina backs Sanju Samson despite poor form

India’s wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson is currently going through a tough phase. He is constantly struggling for runs. In the ongoing series against New Zealand, he has just scored only 40 runs in 4 innings. In 2025, he played 15 T20Is and scored 22 runs at an average of 20.18. Despite this, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina backed him for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Sanju Samson opened the innings for India again, after Shubman Gill’s exclusion from the T20I setup. 

According to Raina, Samson should be backed in the same way that Suryakumar Yadav was when he was not getting runs. In an interview, Raina highlighted the support that management showed to Suryakumar when he was going through a poor form.

"Suryakumar Yadav hasn't scored runs in almost one year. But still, the captain and coach were backing him. "I think it's the same story with Sanju. If he gets a chance, he'll definitely do well."

Furthermore, Raina praised Sanju Samson's experience and past performances, especially his centuries in South Africa, which prove that he deserves to be at the international level. He confessed that the top four will be very important for Suryakumar Yadav’s side during the World Cup. Raina also praised Abhishek Sharma & Ishan Kishan’s batting approach.

"The way Ishan and Abhishek are playing... they show intent from the first ball," Raina said about the explosive duo.

The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup will commence on February 07. Pakistan will face the Netherlands in the opening match, followed by the West Indies vs. Scotland. On the same day, India will face the USA at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The Indian team is placed in Group A along with archrivals Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA. After facing the USA, the Indian team will face Namibia on February 12, Pakistan on February 15, and the Netherlands on February 18 in the group stage. 
In the upcoming edition, the Indian team is also entering as defending champions. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India won the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in Barbados in 2024.