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Sanju Samson reacts for first time after BCCI confirms his berth in IND T20 World Cup squad

Debashis Sarangi

Samson has been confirmed as IND opener [Source: AFP]Samson has been confirmed as IND opener [Source: AFP]

India's swashbuckling keeper-batter Sanju Samson has reacted to his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad. The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee announced India's star-studded fifteen-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup on Saturday afternoon. 

While Shubman Gill was dropped from the team, Sanju Samson was picked as India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the showpiece event. After the BCCI indirectly confirmed that Samson would be India's first-choice opener in the T20 World Cup, the explosive Kerala batter took to the social media, reacting to the decision with a heartfelt message. 

Samson reacts after replacing Gill as Indian opener for T20 World Cup

Sanju Samson has made it into the Indian squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, and he will likely open the batting with Abhishek Sharma, as the Men in Blue have ignored his competitor Shubman Gill for the mega event. 

There was a time when Samson fell prey to the team management's bizarre selection policy, with the selectors roping in Shubman Gill as a potential opener for the T20 World Cup. However, Gill's persistent lean patch prompted the Indian think tank to bring Samson back into the playing XI and eventually keep him as the first-choice opener for the World Cup. 

So, it was natural from Samson's perspective to feel overwhelmed and react the way he did. The 31-year-old expressed his gratitude to the board for showing trust in his abilities and promised to live up to the expectations in the T20 World Cup. 

"Colours will not fade, definitely!!!," an emotional Samson posted on his official Instagram handle with an image of himself in the Indian jersey, promising an impactful T20 World Cup campaign. 

Shubman Gill's foot injury paved the way for Samson's timely return to the Indian playing XI for the fifth T20I against South Africa. The Kerala batter made the most of the opportunity, scoring a quick-fire 37 off just 22 balls. He has been a force to reckon with the bat as an opener and will play a significant role for India in the T20 World Cup.