Sanju Samson said India's batting unit enters every T20I with a clear mandate: finish the game in the powerplay itself, regardless of the target. The wicketkeeper-batter's blazing 67 off 33 balls at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on 22 October underpinned India's highest-ever successful T20I chase against New Zealand, as the visitors overhauled 225/4 with two balls to spare to win the first T20I by four wickets.

How India Pulled Off the Chase

Samson and Abhishek Sharma launched the pursuit with a blistering 93-run opening stand, setting the platform for what followed. Captain Shreyas Iyer then contributed a vital 42, before Naman Dhir — playing just his 4th, 5th or 6th international game — sealed the win with an unbeaten 42 off 15 balls, holding his nerve in a tight finish in front of a sell-out crowd.

Samson was effusive in his praise for Dhir after the match. 'Great credit must go to Naman Dhir. He is just playing his 4th, 5th or 6th international game for the country. It was a very crucial game, and he kept his calmness in a tight situation and won a good match for India. I think he is definitely a great prospect for India in the coming future,' Samson said at the post-match press conference.

The Powerplay-First Philosophy

Samson explained that India's aggressive powerplay approach is not target-dependent — it is a team philosophy embedded since the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. 'So even if you're chasing 170 and if you've got a flyer, we made sure that we killed the game in the Power-play itself. That's what we have been doing really well in the last couple of years,' he said.

He elaborated that the approach distinguishes clearly between the powerplay, middle overs, and death overs, with each phase demanding a different gear. Notably, this is the philosophy India have carried into every T20I assignment since lifting the World Cup title.

On His Own Place in the Side

Samson, whose selection has been a recurring talking point among Indian cricket fans and commentators, was asked about playing to silence critics. He pushed back firmly. 'To be very honest, you can't think about what social media is saying or what the other people are saying. I don't think I play this game in that kind of mindset. I just keep my cricket up front. I respect my process. I respect my practise and then go out and do what's best possible,' he said.

The Kerala batter credited the 2024 T20 World Cup win with giving him a heightened sense of self-belief. 'When you play for your country and win crucial matches, your mental frame becomes a bit different. I have been very lucky that I got that a few months ago,' he added.

Team Fitness, Schedule and the Road to Game Two

India arrived in New Zealand fresh off a 2-2 drawn home T20I series against the West Indies. Samson acknowledged the packed schedule but said the squad had addressed fitness rigorously following an internal meeting after the England series. 'We have had a very strong meeting where things were communicated very properly, and we have a very tight schedule coming up. Physically, we are definitely in a great state,' he said.

With only a single practice session before the opener, Samson said every member of the 15 or 16-strong squad was fully committed. The second T20I is also scheduled at Hagley Oval on Saturday. Samson said his mindset would remain the same, though he acknowledged India may bat first in the next game, requiring a different kind of presence.