Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has come out in defence of Sanju Samson's uneven record in T20 internationals, asserting that periodic failures are inherent to the format and should not be conflated with a genuine loss of form. Speaking ahead of India's upcoming tour of New Zealand, Pujara also raised doubts about whether Samson and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could realistically share the playing XI given the demands of New Zealand conditions.

Pujara's Take on Samson's Form

Pujara was unequivocal in his assessment of Samson's credentials, telling JioStar: 'He is never out of form. The kind of player Sanju Samson has been in the T20 format; his form fluctuates. But it is always a matter of one innings. He plays one good innings, and he is back in form. So, you cannot say that this player is not in form. In the T20 format, you are bound to have failures.'

He went further, challenging conventional expectations of batting consistency at the top of the order: 'Consistency should be there, but for the top order, I think consistency is overrated in T20s.' The remark cuts against a widely held view that opener reliability is non-negotiable in the shortest format.

The Samson-Sooryavanshi Selection Dilemma

India arrive at this series having drawn the five-match T20I series against the West Indies 2-2, with Samson's returns continuing to divide opinion. The New Zealand tour — a multi-format assignment beginning with the T20Is — now presents a fresh selection puzzle at the top of the order.

Pujara believes the conditions across the Tasman will tilt India's balance toward all-rounders, effectively squeezing out room for two specialist top-order batters. 'Vaibhav playing every game seems a bit difficult in New Zealand because there you need more all-rounders, either a spin all-rounder or a seaming all-rounder,' he said.

He added: 'So, there you don't need a lot of batters, especially in the top order. Either Sanju Samson can open or Vaibhav. I don't think both can be part of the playing XI in New Zealand conditions.'

What Pujara Said About Sooryavanshi's Prospects

Pujara was careful not to write off Sooryavanshi entirely, noting that opportunities would still come — particularly if conditions shift or injury creates a vacancy. 'So, Vaibhav will have to wait, but he will get opportunities. It's not that he won't play even one match in the entire series. I am not saying that. If the spot opens up for him based on conditions or players' fitness, that's fine. But, both Sanju and Vaibhav cannot be in the playing XI in New Zealand,' he said.

Why This Debate Matters

The broader question of India's T20 opening combination has been a recurring theme since the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Sooryavanshi's emergence has added a new dimension to a discussion that previously centred on Samson's place in the side. Notably, the tug between flair and tactical balance in overseas conditions is a challenge Indian selectors have navigated before — most recently in South Africa and Sri Lanka. The New Zealand assignment will offer a sterner examination of India's depth and flexibility in the format. Selection decisions ahead of the first T20I will signal how the team management weighs Pujara's logic against their own tactical calculus.