{
  "id": 7670168,
  "title": "Samson's blitz against Afg keeps Sooryavanshi waiting - and the debate alive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/samsons-blitz-against-afg-keeps-sooryavanshi-waiting-and-the-debate",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T00:56:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-afghanistan/sanju-samsons-blitz-against-afghanistan-keeps-vaibhav-sooryavanshi-waiting-and-the-debate-alive/articleshow/134275784.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In New Delhi, Mohammad Nabi delivered a fine delivery on the long-off boundary rope during a T20I match against Afghanistan. As the ball reached Samson, he made contact, clearing the field to celebrate his second wicket of the over. Sanju Samson, who had scored 57 runs from 22 balls, was looking to further his place in the team. After a strong performance in the T20 World Cup, he was benched following a poor display against Ireland. However, he returned for the final two T20I matches against England and Afghanistan. In the Afghanistan series, he started the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma, initially scoring just 10 runs. In the second match, he produced a solid performance, hitting the ball over the mid-on fielder and fine leg region, ultimately contributing with a total of 4 fours and a six. Rashid Khan was unable to stop Samson from scoring at a high strike rate, despite a few failures. Samson expressed his understanding of the challenge in being chosen over Sooryavanshi, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on contributing to the team's success.",
  "summary": "Sanju Samson's explosive 57 off 22 balls against Afghanistan in the second T20I was more than a match-winning cameo — it was a compelling reminder of why India's T20I selection calls remain so difficult. Having lost ground to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Samson responded with fearless batting while acknowledging the challenge of balancing merit, opportunity and India's long-term vision…",
  "key_points": [
    "Samson scores 4 fours and a six in Afghanistan series",
    "Returns to team after poor performance against Ireland",
    "Emphasizes importance of positive mindset for team success"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "‘You are seeing a 15-year-old boy’: Samson on being dropped for Sooryavanshi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/you-are-seeing-a-15-year-old-boy-samson-on-being-dropped-for",
        "published": "2026-09-16T04:56:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}