In the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Indian cricket team faced Namibia in their second match. Abhishek Sharma's illness led to Sanju Samson replacing him in the playing eleven, marking Samson's debut in the T20 World Cup. Although Samson managed to hit some memorable shots, his innings were short-lived, concluding after scoring 22 runs off 8 balls before being dismissed by Namibia's Ben Shikongo. Despite his brief stint at the crease, Sanju Samson achieved a remarkable milestone when he became the second oldest player to make his T20 World Cup debut for India at the age of 31 years and 93 days. With this feat, he surpassed well-known cricketers such as Surya Kumar Yadav, Ashish Nehra, and Laxmipathy Balaji, with only Amit Mishra ahead of him in age. This accomplishment highlights not only Samson's personal achievement but also the increasing significance of veteran players within the T20 format. This match and Samson's debut are crucial as they reflect the changing dynamics in Indian cricket, where experience is becoming increasingly valued in shorter formats. The fact that a player like Samson, despite being older than many kebab counterparts, made it to this vital international stage underscores the depth and evolving nature of talent selection within the Indian cricket framework.