Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reckons Sanju Samson lacks clarity in his mind amid the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Samson got his opportunity against Namibia on Thursday as Abhishek Sharma was ruled out with a stomach infection but could not grab it with both hands.

Samson, who was making his T20 World Cup debut, was dismissed after scoring a little cameo of 8-ball 22. The Kerala batter smashed three sixes and one four but had a soft dismissal as he chipped the ball to the mid-wicket fielder.

Recently, Samson could only manage 46 runs in five matches against New Zealand at an average of 9.20.

“Sanju Samson looks like a batter who is searching for runs. There are many things going on in his mind. The team really backed him and gave the opportunity again. But they will be hoping for Abhishek Sharma’s comeback, because he is a big player,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.

Ashwin questioned Sanju Samson’s shot selection after he had a soft dismissal at Delhi.

“Samson first flicked a ball on the leg for a six. The timing was good and intent was right. But the next time, he just tapped it, there was a mid-wicket as well, and he just tapped. That looked like someone who is not very clear in his head. It looked like he had premeditated where he wanted to hit the ball. In many ways, a lot of players go through his mental state. It is important to address that. If I am going and telling him something, I would tell him to forget everything, take it as a fresh day. I want that Samson who scores a 100. Even if you are out, it is okay. Play freely and don’t think a lot.”

On the other hand, Ashwin reckons India will bring in Kuldeep Yadav for the Pakistan clash in place of Arshdeep Singh.

“I think it will be a stretch. If Abhishek comes back, you will still have four spinners. He can also bowl left-arm spin. So I think the chance of Washi playing is very less. But Kuldeep will play for sure. I think India will go with two fast bowlers – Bumrah and Hardik, and they will play three spinners. It is unfortunate that Arshdeep will miss out. But they will have to play Kuldeep. He has done well against Pakistan always too,” he said.

India will next take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Sunday.