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Sports

I don’t play to prove people wrong: Sanju Samson responds to critics after New Zealand heroics

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 23 Oct 2026 23 Oct 2026

New Delhi: Team India star Sanju Samson said he doesn’t play to prove his doubters wrong, as he opened up about dealing with criticism and outside noise after his blistering half-century helped India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets in the 1st T20I. India defeated New Zealand in the opener in Christchurch to take a 1-0 series lead.

starred in India’s victory with a cracking 67 off 33 balls, which helped the visitors chase down the target of 226 runs and pull off their highest successful run chase in T20Is. Samson opened up on how he likes to remain focused on his game and cut the outside noise after his match-winning knock against the Kiwis.

“I don’t know what people are talking on the outside. To be honest, you cannot think what social media is saying or what other people are saying. You just have to be in the process, be in a very different environment,” Samson said after the match.

“Playing for Indian cricket is not easy. There is a lot of noise happening. A lot of people have their own comments. But I don’t play this game with the mindset of proving people wrong,” he added.

Samson has dealt with a fair bit of criticism this year despite having a standout campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he almost single-handedly powered India to the title. His place in the side has often been questioned, with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi waiting in the wings to get regular chances in T20Is.

However, Samson continues to deliver for India at the top and prove his doubters wrong with impressive performances. On Thursday, the wicket-keeper batter slammed 8 fours and 4 sixes en route to his 67-run knock and added 93 runs for the first wicket with Abhishek Sharma (29) to get India off to a flyer in the 226-run chase.

Sanju Samson opens up on India’s batting approach

Samson also provided insights into India’s batting approach in T20Is and said they often play with the mindset of taking the game away from the opposition in the Powerplay itself. Samson and Abhishek are known for their swashbuckling styles and both have the ability to maximise the Powerplay against all sorts of bowling attacks.

Asked if India’s approach is different when chasing a relatively smaller target, Samson said it depends on the kind of phases the team has. He explained that the team looks to do the heavy lifting in the middle overs and the death overs if the Powerplay doesn’t go as per their plan.

“I don’t think we would have played a bit differently, but I think it’s different phases of the game where you have different approaches,” Samson said.

“When you have had a really good start in the powerplay, we actually phrase it very differently. The powerplay is different, the middle overs are different, and the death overs stage is different.

“So even if you’re chasing 170 and if you’ve got off to a flyer, we make sure that we kill the game in the powerplay itself. That’s what we have been doing really well in the last couple of years,” he added.

 

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