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Sports Arena Times of India Sports • Nov 02, 2026

Ravichandran Ashwin Backs Sanju Samson After T20I Struggles Against New Zealand

💡 Key Takeaways

•Ravichandran Ashwin publicly defended Sanju Samson after his struggles in the New Zealand T20I series.
•Samson scored only 67 runs across five matches, including just 4 runs in the final encounter.
•India won the bilateral series 3-2 after New Zealand mounted a comeback in the final two games.

NEW DELHI [NCRBuzz Wire] — ### Match Milestones and Performance Metrics

**NEW DELHI [NCRBuzz Wire] —** **Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly defended wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson following a disappointing T20I series against New Zealand.** Samson struggled significantly throughout the five-match encounter, accumulating a total of just 67 runs, which culminated in a meager four-run dismissal during the final match.

### Series Analysis and Team Standings

**Despite a commanding 3-0 start to the bilateral series, India faced a spirited comeback from New Zealand in the final two fixtures, ultimately closing the series at 3-2.** The dip in Samson's form sparked intense public debate and discussions regarding potential alternatives, including rising prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

| Match Metric / Detail | Series Statistics |

|-----------------------|-------------------|

| Opponent | New Zealand |

| Total Matches | 5 |

| Final Series Score | India 3 - 2 NZ |

| Sanju Samson Total | 67 Runs |

| Final Match Score | 4 Runs |

### Ashwin's Witty Defence

**Responding to critics on social media platforms, Ashwin delivered a lighthearted yet firm endorsement by stating 'Sanju mera first-choice'.** This backing from a senior statesman of Indian cricket highlights the team management's ongoing backing of Samson despite recent statistical slumps in international fixtures.

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🏛️ Background Context

Sanju Samson has frequently oscillated between establishing a permanent spot in India's limited-overs playing XI and facing fierce competition from emerging domestic talents, making every series performance critical for his international career trajectory.

💡 Citizen & Commuter Quick Explainer (FAQ)

Q1: How many runs did Sanju Samson score in the T20I series against New Zealand?

Sanju Samson scored a total of 67 runs across five matches in the series, including just 4 runs in the final game.

Q2: What was the final outcome of the India vs New Zealand T20I series?

India won the bilateral series 3-2 after New Zealand made a strong comeback in the final two matches.

Q3: How did Ravichandran Ashwin react to criticism against Sanju Samson?

Ravichandran Ashwin defended Samson on social media by describing him as his first-choice player.

Verified Wires: Times of India Sports Original Wire Dispatch ↗

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