Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has backed Sanju Samson to retain his place in India's T20I setup ahead of the upcoming series against New Zealand, arguing that the wicketkeeper-batter's match-winning ability makes it difficult to drop him — even as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi waits in the wings.

Why Samson Keeps His Spot

Nayar explained that Samson's pattern of silencing his critics with a big knock every time his place comes under scrutiny is precisely what makes selection calls around him so complicated. The former coach pointed to Samson's capacity to shift the narrative entirely with a single innings.

'Sanju plays with everyone's emotions because he won't score runs for two matches, and everyone starts raising questions, ‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play, Sanju Samson isn’t capitalising on his chances, how long will we wait?’ And at that very moment, he will score an 80 in no time,' Nayar said in an interview with JioStar. 'So, there will be moments when there will be talks about his place, but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to wait.'

The Left-Right Combination Factor

Beyond individual form, Nayar stressed that India's batting balance — specifically the need to maintain a left-right combination — plays a critical role in determining whether Sooryavanshi gets a look-in. He flagged New Zealand spinner Michael Bracewell as a threat that India's batting order must be structured to neutralise.

'It's not so much about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson; it's about having that left-right combination so that a bowler like Bracewell doesn't come and bowl out his overs in the powerplay,' Nayar noted. He added that as long as there are left-handers at the top and at number three, a right-hander in the middle of the order remains a tactical necessity.

Team Culture and the Right Timing

Nayar also cautioned against hurried selection decisions, arguing that frequent changes could harm team culture as much as individual careers. He suggested Sooryavanshi's opportunity could come naturally — potentially in a series where Samson is rested or unavailable.

'If you make haphazard decisions, the impact on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's career is one thing, but the impact on team culture will be far greater,' he said. 'Vaibhav, wait for your time; you will also get opportunities.'

Finn Allen Flagged as a Danger Man

Turning to the opposition, Nayar identified New Zealand opener Finn Allen as a significant threat in the series, citing how the ground dimensions and conditions in New Zealand suit his aggressive hitting style. He raised the possibility — without guaranteeing it — that Allen could challenge the record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian player, currently held by Abhishek Sharma.

'In their conditions, Finn Allen is a very lethal and dangerous player because the boundaries are small. He is the kind of player who, if he gets going, makes it very difficult for the opposition to stop the runs because he hits sixes, not boundaries,' Nayar said. 'I have a feeling that it is possible. I'm not saying it will happen, but it is possible.'

The India vs New Zealand T20I series will be closely watched as team management weighs selection balance, squad culture, and the emergence of a generational talent in Sooryavanshi — with Nayar's assessment suggesting that patience, not urgency, will define India's approach.