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The Indian cricket team has a deep roster of white-ball players who can perform effectively whenever needed. The IND vs NZ series shows Sanju Samson's continuous struggles against Ishan Kishan who achieved two significant matches.

The team management faces reduced pressure because they can continue their work even when a valuable player encounters stressful situations. The current situation requires Sanju to exit the game while the team should select a new opening batsman. The Kerala batter scored 24 runs from 15 balls during the team's 216-run chase and his exit from the game created additional challenges for the remaining hitters.

His sequence of unsuccessful outcomes has continued since 2025. He managed to score only one fifty during his 15 games last year. His highest score of the season remains 24 after he played four matches, which resulted in an average of 10. The numbers show no sign of improvement, and with every game, his shortcomings are becoming clearer.

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He has a tendency to shift his weight back when facing spin bowling, which results in him losing his balance and making it impossible for him to perform both defensive and offensive shots. His career demonstrates that he has struggled to handle spin bowling throughout his entire professional existence. He achieved an average of 9.7 against spin bowling in 2020, which decreased to 7.3 in 2021 and further declined to 5.3 in 2023.

The last two seasons were better, as he averaged 67 and 48 versus spin due to backfoot adjustments, but that approach now seems figured out. The upcoming T20 World Cup requires India to organize their tournament, but his performance has declined while his batting techniques have been revealed, so Ishan Kishan should bat in the opening position.