The 31-year-old Samson has been in and out of the Indian team and played just one group match against Namibia, when Abhishek Sharma was out with illness.

Sanju Samson's magical innings of unbeaten 97 from 50 balls powered India into the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Sanju Samson's sparkling unbeaten 97 kept alive India's dream of retaining the T20 World Cup at home as they knocked out the West Indies with a five-wicket win in Kolkata on Sunday to set up a semi-final against England.

Defending champions India are looking to bolster their faltering opening combination ahead of a dare-not-lose T20 World Cup clash against Zimbabwe to keep hopes of making the semi-finals alive.

Pressure is intensifying on India vice-captain Shubman Gill as his poor T20 form in the ongoing India-South Africa series draws sharp scrutiny from former players.

Middle-order batter Sanju Samson struck a brisk 58 from 45 balls and seamer Mukesh Kumar took 4-22 as India defeated Zimbabwe by 42 runs at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday to complete a 4-1 victory in their five-game T20 International series.

Samson was named in India's 15-man squad for the June 1-29 event in the West Indies and United States but the inclusion of Rishabh Pant means the 2007 champions have options as they bid for a second title.

Samson steered table-toppers Rajasthan home with one over to spare for their eighth win in nine matches.

Captain Samson hammered an unbeaten 82 off 52 balls to steer inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan to 193-4 after they elected to bat first in Jaipur.

Left-arm opening bowler Arshdeep Singh was named player of the series.

Sanju Samson hit a maiden international century for India in the series-deciding third one-day international against South Africa at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday.

Seamer Shardul Thakur took 3-38 as India completed a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe to claim victory in their three-match One-Day International series with a game to spare at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Delhi Daredevils put their IPL campaign on track with a resounding 97-run win over the hapless Rising Pune Supergiant on Tuesday,