New Delhi: Sanju Samson showcased glimpses of excellence but once again failed to convert a promising start in the India’s must-win T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe on Thursday. After India were put into bat first, Samson, who was included in the playing XI in place of Rinku Singh, opened the innings with lethal batter Abhishek Sharma.

The left-hand, right-hand pair powered the defending champions to a fiery start after they stitched 48 quick runs in just 3.3 overs to push the Zimbabwe bowlers against the wall. This was also the highest opening partnership for India in 11 T20I games in 2026. With Samson being the major contributor in the effective partnership, he seemed to be well poised for a big score in the game at Chepauk.

Samson fails to convert fiery start

But it was not in the destiny as the fourth delivery of the fourth over being bowled by Blessing Muzarabani saw an end to Samson’s innings. Eyeing a big shot with an aim to clear the ropes, Samson ended up handing the ball directly in the hands of Ryan Burl.

It was a short of length ball as Samson aimed a slog-pull but failed to time the delivery to perfection and got caught at deep mid-wicket after scoring 24 runs off 15 balls, which included two massive sixes and one boundary.

In his first outing in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Samson was dismissed after a fiery cameo of 22 off 8 in a group clash against Namibia, which saw Abhishek sitting out due to a stomach infection. The veteran batter has been facing the same sort of issue for a long time where he has showcased glimpses of fire but failed to convert that.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl first in the must-win game. India brought in Samson and Axar Patel in place of Rinku and Washington Sundar respectively in the playing XI.