Former India head coach Ravi Shastri didn’t hold back while commentating after Sanju Samson delivered a blistering powerplay performance in the ongoing fifth T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad.

Stepping in for the injured Shubman Gill, Samson grabbed the opportunity at the top of the order. He attacked from the outset and helped India set the tone for a big score.

The wicketkeeper-batter smashed Proteas pacer Ottneil Baartman for three boundaries in the fourth over. He was eventually dismissed for 22-ball 37, including 4 fours and 2 sixes. His runs in this innings are more than Gill’s combined tally of 33 across the three T20Is against South Africa.

When Samson was taking on the visiting bowlers, Shastri mince no words as he questioned Samson’s prolonged snub from the playing XI.

"Why is he not in the side in the first place? When you see him play like this, you can't help but wonder why it took an injury to bring him in. He is a natural at the top of the order. He already has 300 in T20 cricket, including two back-to-back hundreds against South Africa. He is explosive, dangerous, and capable of shots like these. Where do you even bowl to him?" Shastri said on-air.

During the Asia Cup 2025 in UAE, Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I fold as vice-captain saw Sanju Samson losing his opening spot despite hitting three hundreds last year.

After receiving some chances in the middle-order, Samson was made to warm bench in the third, fourth and fifth T20Is of the Australia tour last month, with another wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma being given the first preference because of his match finishing abilities.

The same selection policy continued in the first three T20Is against South Africa before Gill’s toe injury paved the way for Samson’s selection in the series finale.

Sanju Samson’s fireworks at the Narendra Modi Stadium also drew him praise from the Indian cricket fraternity on social media. He was involved in a 63-run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma, who scored 34 off 21 balls.