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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same...

Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same narrative unfolded on a cricket field, the reaction would have been dramatically different. In cricket, even defeat often becomes a story of heroism. A hard-fought loss by the Indian team can dominate television debates, fill newspaper columns and trend across social media for days. A player who narrowly misses a milestone is still hailed for his fighting spirit. The nation rallies around its cricketers not only in victory but also in defeat. The narrative quickly shifts from the result to the effort -- the resilience shown, the fight put up, the promise of future triumph. This emotional investment is one of the reasons cricket enjoys unparalleled popularity in India. It has built a culture where players become household names and their performances, good or bad, become part of the national conversation. Badminton Fights Contrast that with what happens in sports like badminton. Reaching the final of the All England Championships is a monumental achievement. The tournament is widely considered badminton’s equivalent of Wimbledon in prestige and tradition. Only the very best players manage to reach its final stages, and doing it twice speaks volumes about Lakshya Sen’s ability and consistency. Yet the reaction in India remained largely subdued. There were congratulatory posts, some headlines acknowledging the effort and brief discussions among badminton enthusiasts. But the level of national engagement never quite matched the magnitude of the achievement. In a cricketing context, reaching such a stage would have triggered days of celebration and analysis. In badminton, it often becomes just another sports update. Long Wait India’s wait for an All England champion continues. The last Indian to win the title was Pullela Gopichand in 2001. Before him, Prakash Padukone had scripted history in 1980. These victories remain among the most significant milestones in Indian badminton. And yet, unlike cricketing triumphs that are frequently revisited and celebrated, such achievements rarely stay in the mainstream sporting conversation for long. Lakshya Sen’s journey to the final should ideally have been viewed as a continuation of that legacy, a reminder that India still possesses the talent to challenge the world’s best in badminton. Instead, it risks fading quickly from public memory. Visibility Gap The difference ultimately comes down to visibility and cultural investment. Cricket in India is not merely a sport; it is an ecosystem built over decades through media attention, sponsorship, and mass emotional attachment. Individual sports, on the other hand, often rely on momentary bursts of recognition, usually during Olympic years or when a medal is won. But consistent performers like Lakshya Sen rarely receive the sustained spotlight that their achievements deserve. This disparity can also influence the next generation. Young athletes are naturally drawn to sports where success brings recognition, financial stability and national fame. When one sport monopolises the spotlight, others struggle to build similar appeal. Beyond Result Lakshya Sen may have finished runner-up again, but his performance at the All England Championship is a reminder that India continues to produce world-class athletes in disciplines beyond cricket. The real issue is not that cricket receives immense attention -- it deserves the admiration it gets. The concern is that athletes from other sports often do not receive comparable appreciation for achievements that are equally significant in their own arenas. If India aspires to become a truly global sporting nation, its applause must grow broader. Sporting pride cannot remain confined to one field. Because somewhere on a badminton court, an athlete like Lakshya Sen is fighting just as hard for the country’s colours as any cricketer on a packed stadium pitch. The only difference is how loudly the nation chooses to cheer.

The Superior Choice for India’s T20 Opening Slot

In the high-stakes world of T20 cricket, where every ball can swing fortunes, India’s opening conundrum has intensified following Abhishek Sharma’s unceremonious drop due to a string of dismal performances in the lead-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Sharma, once hailed for his explosive starts, faltered with low scores and a strike rate dipping below 130 in recent domestic outings and warm-up games, prompting selectors to pivot. This leaves a pivotal decision: who partners the top order between Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan? Both are dynamic wicketkeeper-batters capable of dismantling attacks, but based on form, statistics, and adaptability, Samson emerges as the unequivocally better option. His superior strike rate as an opener, proven big-match temperament, and recent international exploits make him the ideal candidate to propel India toward glory in this tournament.


To appreciate Samson’s edge, one must delve into their T20I records, particularly in the opening role. Samson has featured in 61 T20Is, amassing 1310 runs at an average of 27.29 and a blistering strike rate of 154.85, including three centuries and five fifties. When deployed as an opener, his numbers soar: 993 runs at an average of 39 with a strike rate of 148, featuring three hundreds and three fifties. This isn’t just volume; it’s impact. Samson’s ability to accelerate from the outset is evident in his boundary-hitting prowess—78 fours and 56 sixes in opening stints alone. Contrast this with Kishan, who in 44 T20Is has scored 1274 runs at 29.63 average and 146.10 strike rate, with one century and nine fifties. As an opener in 30 of those games, Kishan’s output drops to 820 runs at 27.33 average and a more pedestrian 132.04 strike rate.


While Kishan brings aggression, his strike rate lags behind Samson’s by over 15 points in comparable roles, highlighting a key inefficiency in the powerplay phase where T20 games are often won or lost.


Tilting Scale

Recent form further tilts the scales toward Samson. In the 2026 T20 World Cup itself, Samson has been a revelation despite initial bench time. Thrust into the Super 8s, he delivered match-defining knocks: an unbeaten 97 off 50 against West Indies, 89 off 42 versus England, and solid cameos like 24 off 15 against Zimbabwe. Across four innings, he averaged 77.33 with a staggering 201.74 strike rate, smashing 22 fours and 16 sixes.   These aren’t flukes; they build on his pre-tournament heroics, including back-to-back centuries against South Africa and a second-fastest T20I ton by an Indian (against Bangladesh). Samson’s IPL pedigree reinforces this: captaining Rajasthan Royals, he scored 531 runs in 2024 at 153.47 strike rate and 285 in 2025 at 140.39, often opening or in the top three. His technique—combining elegance with power—allows him to handle swing, seam, and spin early, a crucial asset on varied World Cup pitches.


Kishan, while no slouch, has shown flashes rather than sustained dominance. His maiden T20I century—103 off 43 against New Zealand in January 2026—was a highlight, part of a series where he scored 215 runs in four innings. In the World Cup, he impressed with 77 off 40 against Pakistan and 61 off 24 versus Namibia, but inconsistencies persist: scores like 0 off 4 against South Africa and 10 off 6 against West Indies reveal vulnerability under pressure. 24 Kishan’s IPL journey, now with Sunrisers Hyderabad after a 11.25 crore acquisition, includes a strong 2020 (516 runs at 145.76 strike rate), but recent seasons dip: 354 in 2025 at 152.59, yet only 320 in 2024 at 148.84. His strike rate as an international opener hovers in the mid-120s overall, and against quality attacks like New Zealand (92.79) or West Indies (89.84), it plummets, suggesting he struggles to maintain momentum.


Versatility Nod

Beyond numbers, Samson’s versatility gives him the nod. As a right-hander, he complements left-handed options like Yashasvi Jaiswal if needed, and his wicketkeeping – 40 catches and 7 stumpings in T20Is – adds depth without compromising batting. Critics might argue Kishan’s consistency in scoring fifties (nine versus Samson’s five) makes him safer, but T20 demands explosion over accumulation. Samson’s higher average and strike rate as opener translate to more wins; his World Cup heroics propelled India to the semis. With Sharma out, India can’t afford experiments – Samson provides stability with fireworks.


In conclusion, while both are talents India is fortunate to have, Sanju Samson is the better T20 opener. His explosive metrics, clutch performances, and adaptability make him indispensable. Selectors should back him to open alongside a reliable partner, ensuring India’s campaign starts with a bang. Kishan remains a valuable backup, but for now, Samson deserves the spotlight.

 

(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

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