More than a decade of Sanju's career has been the ultimate paradox of Indian cricket. The Kerala Stumper burst onto the international scene back in July 2015, and has played just 68 T20Is in more than ten years. To his critics, it's an enigma who has wasted countless chances; to his supporters, a generational talent who has had his chances wasted on him by shifting team selections.

But whenever the noose has been tightened, and the outside noise has reached a deafening crescendo, Sanju has an uncanny knack for rising from the ashes.

Here are five unforgettable instances when Sanju Samson silenced his critics with clutch knocks under immense pressure

1.

The Eden Gardens Masterpiece: 97 (50) vs West Indies (T20 World Cup 2026)

Sanju Samson had been dropped from the Indian T20I squad following a poor home series against New Zealand. However, an opportunity arose for Samson to make his way back into the team when West Indies visited Eden Gardens for a Super 8 match in the T20 World Cup 2026, where opening partner Abhishek Sharma was struggling.

Chasing 196 runs against the West Indies in Kolkata, Samson played a match-winning innings, scoring 97 runs with 12 fours and 4 sixes in only 50 balls.

Samson eventually led India to a memorable victory and remained not out in the process, launching a prolific run in both the Super 8 group stage, the semifinals, and the final.

2. Conquering the 50-Over Format: 108 (114) vs South Africa (Paarl, 2023)

Samson's ODI credentials have been under the scanner ever since he failed to capitalize on his excellent form in T20Is. The opener had only one half-century in his last six ODIs before the series-deciding match against South Africa at Paarl.

Samson scored a brilliant 108 runs with 6 fours and 3 sixes in 114 balls in the decisive match against South Africa. The elegant right-hander's innings helped India post a healthy total of 293 runs and register a 78-run victory over their arch-rivals.

India eventually won the series 2-1 after winning the second ODI as well.

3. The Career-Saving Maiden Century: 111 (47) vs Bangladesh (Hyderabad, 2024)

Samson was desperate to assert himself as a consistent scorer in T20Is after posting rather ordinary figures of 29 and 10 in the two T20Is against Bangladesh.

Samson had only one half-century and three ducks in his previous ten innings in T20Is.

The young opener responded in spectacular fashion in the third T20I against Bangladesh at the Hyderabad stadium. He dismantled the Bangladeshi bowling attack in sensational fashion and scored a career-best 111 runs with 11 fours and 8 sixes in only 47 balls to etch his name in the annals of Indian cricket.

4. Silencing the Doubters: 57 (22) vs Afghanistan (Delhi, 2026)

Samson was named in the starting lineup for the second T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, displacing the promising young spinner Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, which caused social media to erupt in flames.

The right-handed batsman had five consecutive T20I innings, scoring 5, 0, 1, 27, and 10. Samson was once again under tremendous pressure to justify his selection in the squad, and he responded outstandingly by scoring 57 runs, with 7 fours and 4 sixes, not out off 22 balls.

His quick-fire knock silenced critics and earned him plaudits from the team management.

5. Answering Critics in Yellow: 115 (56) vs Delhi Capitals (IPL 2026)

Samson was under immense pressure to deliver after moving from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for the IPL 2026. After posting disastrous figures of 6, 7, and 9 in his first three matches, critics started questioning his poor performance in CSK.

Samson answered his critics in emphatic fashion by hitting a sensational 115 runs, with 15 fours and 4 sixes, not out of 56 balls at Chepauk. The powerful innings set the foundation for CSK's success, leading with another brilliant century against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede.