‘Sanju should be allowed to play freely’ - Anjum Chopra backs Samson amid selection debate

Sanju Samson has faced scrutiny over his place in the Indian T20I squad despite his recent performances. The wicketkeeper-batter was dropped from the Zimbabwe tour after recording scores of 27, 1, 0, and 5 in his last four T20Is. However, Samson responded with back-to-back half-centuries against Afghanistan in the recently concluded series, demonstrating his ability to bounce back under pressure.

Former India batter Anjum Chopra has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Samson's selection, advocating for a more stable approach to his international career. Speaking to NDTV on September 20, 2026, Chopra expressed her views on how the team should manage the talented wicketkeeper's development and confidence at the highest level.

"I think we should let Sanju Samson be. Playing for India always comes with pressure and competition, and every player understands that they need to keep performing. But no one likes to feel a constant question mark hanging over their place in the team. Sanju should be allowed to play freely," Chopra said on NDTV Sports.

Samson's recent form against Afghanistan showcased his ability to recover from a difficult start. He opened the batting for India in the first T20I against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on September 13, 2026, but struggled in that match. He subsequently registered consecutive half-centuries in the following two matches of the series, underlining his capacity to adapt and perform when given the opportunity to play. His last T20I appearance came on September 17, 2026, against Afghanistan.

Samson's international career has included significant achievements at major tournaments. He was part of India's T20 World Cup-winning teams in both 2024 and 2026, with a standout Player of the Tournament performance in 2026. His role as an opener in the 2026 T20 World Cup proved successful, establishing him as a key player in India's limited-overs setup.

"Sooryavanshi is a great talent. He has already made it to the Indian setup and will remain in contention. But we should remember that players such as Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rinku Singh have also worked hard and earned their opportunities," Chopra added.