Bad News For Sanju Samson Fans? Ishan Kishan Takes Over Wicket-Keeping After Maiden Ton Ahead Of ICC T20 WC 2026

Ishan Kishan took over keeping duties for the IND vs NZ 5th T20I on Saturday. The left-hander slammed his maiden T20I century in front of a packed crowd at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Samson had kept wickets in all 4 games so far, but Kishan took the gloves for the final match of the series.

It all but signals the end of Samson's hopes in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Sanju was the first choice wicket-keeper in the Indian squad for the tournament kicking off on February 7. However, Kishan has made the most of his opportunities in the IND vs NZ series, while Samson has struggled for runs.

Suryakumar Yadav cleared the confusion suggesting it was always the plan to let Kishan keep wickets.

“I think both the keepers were playing since game 1 as Tilak was not available. So, we had decided before the series that three games will be kept by Sanju Samson and two games will be kept by Ishan. Ishan unfortunately missed the last game because of a niggle but he was anyway going to keep wickets in this match,” Suryakumar said during the post-match press conference.

Sanju Samson's poor form with the bat continued in front of a packed home crowd at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Samson scored a run a ball six before holding out in the deep. Overall, the Kerala star has managed 46 runs in 5 matches this series.

On the other hand, Kishan finished the IND vs NZ series as the second highest run-getter behind Suryakumar Yadav. He scored his maiden t20I century on Saturday, to make another push for a place in the ICC T20 World Cup Playing XI.