Irfan Pathan feels Sanju Samson is the leader of India’s batting unit after Abhishek Sharma’s below-par display in the T20 World Cup 2026. Samson scored an unbeaten 97 runs against the West Indies and then posted 89 in the second semifinal. In four matches, the wicket-keeper batter has amassed 232 runs at an average of 77.33 and a strike-rate of 201.73.

On the other hand, Abhishek has managed just 89 runs from seven games so far. Irfan lauded Samson for the way he handled Jofra Archer.

“The odds were against Samson before the match, but he embraced Archer’s pace. He played behind the square when the ball was pitched outside the leg stump. There were short balls as well, and Samson played according to the merit of the deliveries instead of going hard.

“Archer had a chance to dismiss him but Harry Brook dropped the catch. Samson didn’t look after that and played outstanding shots,” Irfan Pathan said.

Irfan highlighted that Samson’s dominating batting forced England to hold back Will Jacks. “Samson has taken the responsibility of scoring the runs as Abhishek Sharma is not in form. Samson is the leader of the batting unit and is taking the team forward,” he added.

“The oppositions are finding it hard to execute their plans because of Sanju Samson. England didn’t bowl Will Jacks’ over because of Samson. But when Harry Brook gave him the 20th over, Hardik hit two sixes. Brook made a mistake due to Samson and Shivam Dube,” he mentioned.

Meanwhile, Samson has defended Abhishek Sharma. “The environment of the dressing room is great. Our team has faith in Abhishek. Every player faces challenges and it is a matter of few good shots in this format of the game. We believe in him and who knows, the final may be his day,” Samson told reporters. India will face New Zealand in the final on March 8.

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