diff --git a/integration/sandbox_run_rollback_test.go b/integration/sandbox_run_rollback_test.go
index 9a152e164..d7b9b8e91 100644
--- a/integration/sandbox_run_rollback_test.go
+++ b/integration/sandbox_run_rollback_test.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 package integration
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	criapiv1 "k8s.io/cri-api/pkg/apis/runtime/v1"
 
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/cri/sbserver"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/cri/store/sandbox"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/failpoint"
 	"github.com/containerd/typeurl"
@@ -103,9 +105,6 @@ func TestRunPodSandboxWithShimDeleteFailure(t *testing.T) {
 	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" {
 		t.Skip()
 	}
-	if os.Getenv("ENABLE_CRI_SANDBOXES") != "" {
-		t.Skip()
-	}
 
 	testCase := func(restart bool) func(*testing.T) {
 		return func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -177,9 +176,6 @@ func TestRunPodSandboxWithShimStartAndTeardownCNIFailure(t *testing.T) {
 	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" {
 		t.Skip()
 	}
-	if os.Getenv("ENABLE_CRI_SANDBOXES") != "" {
-		t.Skip()
-	}
 
 	testCase := func(restart bool) func(*testing.T) {
 		return func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -243,9 +239,6 @@ func TestRunPodSandboxAndTeardownCNISlow(t *testing.T) {
 	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" {
 		t.Skip()
 	}
-	if os.Getenv("ENABLE_CRI_SANDBOXES") != "" {
-		t.Skip()
-	}
 
 	t.Log("Init PodSandboxConfig with specific key")
 	sbName := t.Name()
@@ -301,31 +294,63 @@ func TestRunPodSandboxAndTeardownCNISlow(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, sb.Metadata.Uid, sbConfig.Metadata.Uid)
 	assert.Equal(t, sb.Metadata.Attempt, sbConfig.Metadata.Attempt)
 
-	t.Log("Get sandbox info")
-	_, info, err := SandboxInfo(sb.Id)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.False(t, info.NetNSClosed)
-
-	var netNS string
-	for _, n := range info.RuntimeSpec.Linux.Namespaces {
-		if n.Type == runtimespec.NetworkNamespace {
-			netNS = n.Path
+	switch os.Getenv("ENABLE_CRI_SANDBOXES") {
+	case "":
+		// non-sbserver
+		t.Log("Get sandbox info (non-sbserver)")
+		_, info, err := SandboxInfo(sb.Id)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, info.NetNSClosed)
+		var netNS string
+		for _, n := range info.RuntimeSpec.Linux.Namespaces {
+			if n.Type == runtimespec.NetworkNamespace {
+				netNS = n.Path
+			}
 		}
-	}
-	assert.NotEmpty(t, netNS, "network namespace should be set")
+		assert.NotEmpty(t, netNS, "network namespace should be set")
 
-	t.Log("Get sandbox container")
-	c, err := GetContainer(sb.Id)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	any, ok := c.Extensions["io.cri-containerd.sandbox.metadata"]
-	require.True(t, ok, "sandbox metadata should exist in extension")
-	i, err := typeurl.UnmarshalAny(any)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.IsType(t, &sandbox.Metadata{}, i)
-	metadata, ok := i.(*sandbox.Metadata)
-	require.True(t, ok)
-	assert.NotEmpty(t, metadata.NetNSPath)
-	assert.Equal(t, netNS, metadata.NetNSPath, "network namespace path should be the same in runtime spec and sandbox metadata")
+		t.Log("Get sandbox container")
+		c, err := GetContainer(sb.Id)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		any, ok := c.Extensions["io.cri-containerd.sandbox.metadata"]
+		require.True(t, ok, "sandbox metadata should exist in extension")
+		i, err := typeurl.UnmarshalAny(any)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.IsType(t, &sandbox.Metadata{}, i)
+		metadata, ok := i.(*sandbox.Metadata)
+		require.True(t, ok)
+		assert.Equal(t, netNS, metadata.NetNSPath, "network namespace path should be the same in runtime spec and sandbox metadata")
+	default:
+		// sbserver
+		t.Log("Get sandbox info (sbserver)")
+		_, info, err := sbserverSandboxInfo(sb.Id)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, info.NetNSClosed)
+
+		assert.NotEmpty(t, info.Metadata.NetNSPath, "network namespace should be set")
+	}
+
+}
+
+// sbserverSandboxInfo gets sandbox info.
+func sbserverSandboxInfo(id string) (*criapiv1.PodSandboxStatus, *sbserver.SandboxInfo, error) {
+	client, err := RawRuntimeClient()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get raw runtime client: %w", err)
+	}
+	resp, err := client.PodSandboxStatus(context.Background(), &criapiv1.PodSandboxStatusRequest{
+		PodSandboxId: id,
+		Verbose:      true,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get sandbox status: %w", err)
+	}
+	status := resp.GetStatus()
+	var info sbserver.SandboxInfo
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(resp.GetInfo()["info"]), &info); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to unmarshal sandbox info: %w", err)
+	}
+	return status, &info, nil
 }
 
 func ensureCNIAddRunning(t *testing.T, sbName string) error {
diff --git a/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/helpers.go b/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/helpers.go
index 03202e017..d3f90888c 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/helpers.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/helpers.go
@@ -63,6 +63,8 @@ const (
 	sandboxMetadataExtension = criContainerdPrefix + ".sandbox.metadata"
 	// runtimeRunhcsV1 is the runtime type for runhcs.
 	runtimeRunhcsV1 = "io.containerd.runhcs.v1"
+	// MetadataKey is the key used for storing metadata in the sandbox extensions
+	MetadataKey = "metadata"
 )
 
 const (
diff --git a/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_delete.go b/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_delete.go
index b40c768ca..73b67e58f 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_delete.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_delete.go
@@ -49,11 +49,13 @@ func (c *Controller) Delete(ctx context.Context, sandboxID string) (*api.Control
 	}
 
 	// Delete sandbox container.
-	if err := sandbox.Container.Delete(ctx, containerd.WithSnapshotCleanup); err != nil {
-		if !errdefs.IsNotFound(err) {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to delete sandbox container %q: %w", sandboxID, err)
+	if sandbox.Container != nil {
+		if err := sandbox.Container.Delete(ctx, containerd.WithSnapshotCleanup); err != nil {
+			if !errdefs.IsNotFound(err) {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to delete sandbox container %q: %w", sandboxID, err)
+			}
+			log.G(ctx).Tracef("Sandbox controller Delete called for sandbox container %q that does not exist", sandboxID)
 		}
-		log.G(ctx).Tracef("Sandbox controller Delete called for sandbox container %q that does not exist", sandboxID)
 	}
 
 	return &api.ControllerDeleteResponse{}, nil
diff --git a/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_run.go b/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_run.go
index 3f372a3b2..d5aef016f 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_run.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_run.go
@@ -21,6 +21,13 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 
+	"github.com/containerd/nri"
+	v1 "github.com/containerd/nri/types/v1"
+	"github.com/containerd/typeurl"
+	"github.com/davecgh/go-spew/spew"
+	"github.com/opencontainers/selinux/go-selinux"
+	runtime "k8s.io/cri-api/pkg/apis/runtime/v1"
+
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd"
 	api "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/sandbox/v1"
 	containerdio "github.com/containerd/containerd/cio"
@@ -33,12 +40,6 @@ import (
 	ctrdutil "github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/cri/util"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/protobuf"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/snapshots"
-	"github.com/containerd/nri"
-	v1 "github.com/containerd/nri/types/v1"
-	"github.com/containerd/typeurl"
-	"github.com/davecgh/go-spew/spew"
-	"github.com/opencontainers/selinux/go-selinux"
-	runtime "k8s.io/cri-api/pkg/apis/runtime/v1"
 )
 
 func init() {
@@ -46,14 +47,26 @@ func init() {
 		"github.com/containerd/cri/pkg/store/sandbox", "Metadata")
 }
 
-func (c *Controller) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) (_ *api.ControllerStartResponse, retErr error) {
+// Start creates resources required for the sandbox and starts the sandbox.  If an error occurs, Start attempts to tear
+// down the created resources.  If an error occurs while tearing down resources, a zero-valued response is returned
+// alongside the error.  If the teardown was successful, a nil response is returned with the error.
+// TODO(samuelkarp) Determine whether this error indication is reasonable to retain once controller.Delete is implemented.
+func (c *Controller) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) (resp *api.ControllerStartResponse, retErr error) {
+	var cleanupErr error
+	defer func() {
+		if retErr != nil && cleanupErr != nil {
+			log.G(ctx).WithField("id", id).WithError(cleanupErr).Errorf("failed to fully teardown sandbox resources after earlier error: %s", retErr)
+			resp = &api.ControllerStartResponse{}
+		}
+	}()
+
 	sandboxInfo, err := c.client.SandboxStore().Get(ctx, id)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to find sandbox with id %q: %w", id, err)
 	}
 
 	var metadata sandboxstore.Metadata
-	if err := sandboxInfo.GetExtension("metadata", &metadata); err != nil {
+	if err := sandboxInfo.GetExtension(MetadataKey, &metadata); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get sandbox %q metadata: %w", id, err)
 	}
 
@@ -137,11 +150,11 @@ func (c *Controller) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) (_ *api.ControllerSta
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create containerd container: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		if retErr != nil {
+		if retErr != nil && cleanupErr == nil {
 			deferCtx, deferCancel := ctrdutil.DeferContext()
 			defer deferCancel()
-			if err := container.Delete(deferCtx, containerd.WithSnapshotCleanup); err != nil {
-				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("Failed to delete containerd container %q", id)
+			if cleanupErr = container.Delete(deferCtx, containerd.WithSnapshotCleanup); cleanupErr != nil {
+				log.G(ctx).WithError(cleanupErr).Errorf("Failed to delete containerd container %q", id)
 			}
 		}
 	}()
@@ -153,10 +166,10 @@ func (c *Controller) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) (_ *api.ControllerSta
 			sandboxRootDir, err)
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		if retErr != nil {
+		if retErr != nil && cleanupErr == nil {
 			// Cleanup the sandbox root directory.
-			if err := c.os.RemoveAll(sandboxRootDir); err != nil {
-				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("Failed to remove sandbox root directory %q",
+			if cleanupErr = c.os.RemoveAll(sandboxRootDir); cleanupErr != nil {
+				log.G(ctx).WithError(cleanupErr).Errorf("Failed to remove sandbox root directory %q",
 					sandboxRootDir)
 			}
 		}
@@ -168,10 +181,10 @@ func (c *Controller) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) (_ *api.ControllerSta
 			volatileSandboxRootDir, err)
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		if retErr != nil {
+		if retErr != nil && cleanupErr == nil {
 			// Cleanup the volatile sandbox root directory.
-			if err := c.os.RemoveAll(volatileSandboxRootDir); err != nil {
-				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("Failed to remove volatile sandbox root directory %q",
+			if cleanupErr = c.os.RemoveAll(volatileSandboxRootDir); cleanupErr != nil {
+				log.G(ctx).WithError(cleanupErr).Errorf("Failed to remove volatile sandbox root directory %q",
 					volatileSandboxRootDir)
 			}
 		}
@@ -182,9 +195,9 @@ func (c *Controller) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) (_ *api.ControllerSta
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to setup sandbox files: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		if retErr != nil {
-			if err = c.cleanupSandboxFiles(id, config); err != nil {
-				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("Failed to cleanup sandbox files in %q",
+		if retErr != nil && cleanupErr == nil {
+			if cleanupErr = c.cleanupSandboxFiles(id, config); cleanupErr != nil {
+				log.G(ctx).WithError(cleanupErr).Errorf("Failed to cleanup sandbox files in %q",
 					sandboxRootDir)
 			}
 		}
@@ -210,12 +223,13 @@ func (c *Controller) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) (_ *api.ControllerSta
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create containerd task: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		if retErr != nil {
+		if retErr != nil && cleanupErr == nil {
 			deferCtx, deferCancel := ctrdutil.DeferContext()
 			defer deferCancel()
 			// Cleanup the sandbox container if an error is returned.
 			if _, err := task.Delete(deferCtx, WithNRISandboxDelete(id), containerd.WithProcessKill); err != nil && !errdefs.IsNotFound(err) {
 				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("Failed to delete sandbox container %q", id)
+				cleanupErr = err
 			}
 		}
 	}()
@@ -245,7 +259,7 @@ func (c *Controller) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) (_ *api.ControllerSta
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to start sandbox container task %q: %w", id, err)
 	}
 
-	resp := &api.ControllerStartResponse{
+	resp = &api.ControllerStartResponse{
 		SandboxID: id,
 		Pid:       task.Pid(),
 		CreatedAt: protobuf.ToTimestamp(info.CreatedAt),
diff --git a/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_stop.go b/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_stop.go
index 5173431ba..0f817e08f 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_stop.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox/sandbox_stop.go
@@ -21,13 +21,14 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"syscall"
 
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
 	eventtypes "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/events"
 	api "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/services/sandbox/v1"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/errdefs"
 	sandboxstore "github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/cri/store/sandbox"
 	ctrdutil "github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/cri/util"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/protobuf"
-	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 func (c *Controller) Stop(ctx context.Context, sandboxID string) (*api.ControllerStopResponse, error) {
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ func (c *Controller) Stop(ctx context.Context, sandboxID string) (*api.Controlle
 	// TODO: The Controller maintains its own Status instead of CRI's sandboxStore.
 	// Only stop sandbox container when it's running or unknown.
 	state := sandbox.Status.Get().State
-	if state == sandboxstore.StateReady || state == sandboxstore.StateUnknown {
+	if (state == sandboxstore.StateReady || state == sandboxstore.StateUnknown) && sandbox.Container != nil {
 		if err := c.stopSandboxContainer(ctx, sandbox); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to stop sandbox container %q in %q state: %w", sandboxID, state, err)
 		}
diff --git a/pkg/cri/sbserver/restart.go b/pkg/cri/sbserver/restart.go
index 6bc91968c..547dd1093 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/sbserver/restart.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/sbserver/restart.go
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/errdefs"
 	containerdimages "github.com/containerd/containerd/images"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/log"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/platforms"
 	"github.com/containerd/typeurl"
 	"golang.org/x/sync/errgroup"
@@ -82,6 +83,28 @@ func (c *criService) recover(ctx context.Context) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	// Recover sandboxes in the new SandboxStore
+	storedSandboxes, err := c.client.SandboxStore().List(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to list sandboxes from API: %w", err)
+	}
+	for _, sbx := range storedSandboxes {
+		if _, err := c.sandboxStore.Get(sbx.ID); err == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		metadata := sandboxstore.Metadata{}
+		err := sbx.GetExtension(podsandbox.MetadataKey, &metadata)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to get metadata for stored sandbox %q: %w", sbx.ID, err)
+		}
+		sb := sandboxstore.NewSandbox(metadata, sandboxstore.Status{State: sandboxstore.StateUnknown})
+		// Load network namespace.
+		sb.NetNS = getNetNS(&metadata)
+		if err := c.sandboxStore.Add(sb); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to add stored sandbox %q to store: %w", sbx.ID, err)
+		}
+	}
+
 	// Recover all containers.
 	containers, err := c.client.Containers(ctx, filterLabel(containerKindLabel, containerKindContainer))
 	if err != nil {
@@ -427,15 +450,7 @@ func (c *criService) loadSandbox(ctx context.Context, cntr containerd.Container)
 	sandbox.Container = cntr
 
 	// Load network namespace.
-	if goruntime.GOOS != "windows" &&
-		meta.Config.GetLinux().GetSecurityContext().GetNamespaceOptions().GetNetwork() == runtime.NamespaceMode_NODE {
-		// Don't need to load netns for host network sandbox.
-		return sandbox, nil
-	}
-	if goruntime.GOOS == "windows" && meta.Config.GetWindows().GetSecurityContext().GetHostProcess() {
-		return sandbox, nil
-	}
-	sandbox.NetNS = netns.LoadNetNS(meta.NetNSPath)
+	sandbox.NetNS = getNetNS(meta)
 
 	// It doesn't matter whether task is running or not. If it is running, sandbox
 	// status will be `READY`; if it is not running, sandbox status will be `NOT_READY`,
@@ -443,6 +458,18 @@ func (c *criService) loadSandbox(ctx context.Context, cntr containerd.Container)
 	return sandbox, nil
 }
 
+func getNetNS(meta *sandboxstore.Metadata) *netns.NetNS {
+	if goruntime.GOOS != "windows" &&
+		meta.Config.GetLinux().GetSecurityContext().GetNamespaceOptions().GetNetwork() == runtime.NamespaceMode_NODE {
+		// Don't need to load netns for host network sandbox.
+		return nil
+	}
+	if goruntime.GOOS == "windows" && meta.Config.GetWindows().GetSecurityContext().GetHostProcess() {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return netns.LoadNetNS(meta.NetNSPath)
+}
+
 // loadImages loads images from containerd.
 func (c *criService) loadImages(ctx context.Context, cImages []containerd.Image) {
 	snapshotter := c.config.ContainerdConfig.Snapshotter
diff --git a/pkg/cri/sbserver/sandbox_run.go b/pkg/cri/sbserver/sandbox_run.go
index 8bc0ca499..4fda0b739 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/sbserver/sandbox_run.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/sbserver/sandbox_run.go
@@ -27,14 +27,16 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
-	eventtypes "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/events"
-	"github.com/containerd/containerd/protobuf"
-	sb "github.com/containerd/containerd/sandbox"
 	"github.com/containerd/go-cni"
 	"github.com/containerd/typeurl"
 	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	runtime "k8s.io/cri-api/pkg/apis/runtime/v1"
 
+	eventtypes "github.com/containerd/containerd/api/events"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/cri/sbserver/podsandbox"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/protobuf"
+	sb "github.com/containerd/containerd/sandbox"
+
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/log"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/cri/annotations"
 	criconfig "github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/cri/config"
@@ -64,6 +66,13 @@ func (c *criService) RunPodSandbox(ctx context.Context, r *runtime.RunPodSandbox
 	}
 	name := makeSandboxName(metadata)
 	log.G(ctx).WithField("podsandboxid", id).Debugf("generated id for sandbox name %q", name)
+
+	// cleanupErr records the last error returned by the critical cleanup operations in deferred functions,
+	// like CNI teardown and stopping the running sandbox task.
+	// If cleanup is not completed for some reason, the CRI-plugin will leave the sandbox
+	// in a not-ready state, which can later be cleaned up by the next execution of the kubelet's syncPod workflow.
+	var cleanupErr error
+
 	// Reserve the sandbox name to avoid concurrent `RunPodSandbox` request starting the
 	// same sandbox.
 	if err := c.sandboxNameIndex.Reserve(name, id); err != nil {
@@ -71,7 +80,8 @@ func (c *criService) RunPodSandbox(ctx context.Context, r *runtime.RunPodSandbox
 	}
 	defer func() {
 		// Release the name if the function returns with an error.
-		if retErr != nil {
+		// When cleanupErr != nil, the name will be cleaned in sandbox_remove.
+		if retErr != nil && cleanupErr == nil {
 			c.sandboxNameIndex.ReleaseByName(name)
 		}
 	}()
@@ -98,6 +108,25 @@ func (c *criService) RunPodSandbox(ctx context.Context, r *runtime.RunPodSandbox
 		},
 	)
 
+	if _, err := c.client.SandboxStore().Create(ctx, sandboxInfo); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to save sandbox metadata: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if retErr != nil && cleanupErr == nil {
+			cleanupErr = c.client.SandboxStore().Delete(ctx, id)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	defer func() {
+		// Put the sandbox into sandbox store when some resources fail to be cleaned.
+		if retErr != nil && cleanupErr != nil {
+			log.G(ctx).WithError(cleanupErr).Errorf("encountered an error cleaning up failed sandbox %q, marking sandbox state as SANDBOX_UNKNOWN", id)
+			if err := c.sandboxStore.Add(sandbox); err != nil {
+				log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("failed to add sandbox %+v into store", sandbox)
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+
 	var (
 		podNetwork = true
 		err        error
@@ -110,7 +139,7 @@ func (c *criService) RunPodSandbox(ctx context.Context, r *runtime.RunPodSandbox
 	}
 	if goruntime.GOOS == "windows" &&
 		config.GetWindows().GetSecurityContext().GetHostProcess() {
-		//Windows HostProcess pods can only run on the host network
+		// Windows HostProcess pods can only run on the host network
 		podNetwork = false
 	}
 
@@ -128,20 +157,40 @@ func (c *criService) RunPodSandbox(ctx context.Context, r *runtime.RunPodSandbox
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create network namespace for sandbox %q: %w", id, err)
 		}
+		// Update network namespace in the store, which is used to generate the container's spec
 		sandbox.NetNSPath = sandbox.NetNS.GetPath()
 		defer func() {
-			if retErr != nil {
+			// Remove the network namespace only if all the resource cleanup is done
+			if retErr != nil && cleanupErr == nil {
+				if cleanupErr = sandbox.NetNS.Remove(); cleanupErr != nil {
+					log.G(ctx).WithError(cleanupErr).Errorf("Failed to remove network namespace %s for sandbox %q", sandbox.NetNSPath, id)
+					return
+				}
+				sandbox.NetNSPath = ""
+			}
+		}()
+
+		if err := sandboxInfo.AddExtension(podsandbox.MetadataKey, &sandbox.Metadata); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to save sandbox %q to store: %w", id, err)
+		}
+		// Save sandbox metadata to store
+		if sandboxInfo, err = c.client.SandboxStore().Update(ctx, sandboxInfo, "extensions"); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to update extensions for sandbox %q: %w", id, err)
+		}
+
+		// Define this defer to teardownPodNetwork prior to the setupPodNetwork function call.
+		// This is because in setupPodNetwork the resource is allocated even if it returns error, unlike other resource
+		// creation functions.
+		defer func() {
+			// Remove the network namespace only if all the resource cleanup is done.
+			if retErr != nil && cleanupErr == nil {
 				deferCtx, deferCancel := ctrdutil.DeferContext()
 				defer deferCancel()
 				// Teardown network if an error is returned.
-				if err := c.teardownPodNetwork(deferCtx, sandbox); err != nil {
-					log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("Failed to destroy network for sandbox %q", id)
+				if cleanupErr = c.teardownPodNetwork(deferCtx, sandbox); cleanupErr != nil {
+					log.G(ctx).WithError(cleanupErr).Errorf("Failed to destroy network for sandbox %q", id)
 				}
 
-				if err := sandbox.NetNS.Remove(); err != nil {
-					log.G(ctx).WithError(err).Errorf("Failed to remove network namespace %s for sandbox %q", sandbox.NetNSPath, id)
-				}
-				sandbox.NetNSPath = ""
 			}
 		}()
 
@@ -159,8 +208,7 @@ func (c *criService) RunPodSandbox(ctx context.Context, r *runtime.RunPodSandbox
 		sandboxCreateNetworkTimer.UpdateSince(netStart)
 	}
 
-	// Save sandbox metadata to store
-	if err := sandboxInfo.AddExtension("metadata", &sandbox.Metadata); err != nil {
+	if err := sandboxInfo.AddExtension(podsandbox.MetadataKey, &sandbox.Metadata); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to save sandbox %q to store: %w", id, err)
 	}
 
@@ -169,8 +217,9 @@ func (c *criService) RunPodSandbox(ctx context.Context, r *runtime.RunPodSandbox
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get sandbox controller: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	if _, err := c.client.SandboxStore().Create(ctx, sandboxInfo); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to save sandbox metadata: %w", err)
+	// Save sandbox metadata to store
+	if sandboxInfo, err = c.client.SandboxStore().Update(ctx, sandboxInfo, "extensions"); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to update extensions for sandbox %q: %w", id, err)
 	}
 
 	runtimeStart := time.Now()
@@ -181,8 +230,19 @@ func (c *criService) RunPodSandbox(ctx context.Context, r *runtime.RunPodSandbox
 
 	resp, err := controller.Start(ctx, id)
 	if err != nil {
+		sandbox.Container, _ = c.client.LoadContainer(ctx, id)
+		if resp != nil && resp.SandboxID == "" && resp.Pid == 0 && resp.CreatedAt == nil && len(resp.Labels) == 0 {
+			// if resp is a non-nil zero-value, an error occurred during cleanup
+			cleanupErr = fmt.Errorf("failed to cleanup sandbox")
+		}
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to start sandbox %q: %w", id, err)
 	}
+	// TODO: get rid of this. sandbox object should no longer have Container field.
+	container, err := c.client.LoadContainer(ctx, id)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to load container %q for sandbox: %w", id, err)
+	}
+	sandbox.Container = container
 
 	labels := resp.GetLabels()
 	if labels == nil {
@@ -201,14 +261,7 @@ func (c *criService) RunPodSandbox(ctx context.Context, r *runtime.RunPodSandbox
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to update sandbox status: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// TODO: get rid of this. sandbox object should no longer have Container field.
-	container, err := c.client.LoadContainer(ctx, id)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to load container %q for sandbox: %w", id, err)
-	}
 	// Add sandbox into sandbox store in INIT state.
-	sandbox.Container = container
-
 	if err := c.sandboxStore.Add(sandbox); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to add sandbox %+v into store: %w", sandbox, err)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/cri/sbserver/sandbox_status.go b/pkg/cri/sbserver/sandbox_status.go
index a9508451e..97e8aae4e 100644
--- a/pkg/cri/sbserver/sandbox_status.go
+++ b/pkg/cri/sbserver/sandbox_status.go
@@ -141,38 +141,66 @@ type SandboxInfo struct {
 	RuntimeType    string                    `json:"runtimeType"`
 	RuntimeOptions interface{}               `json:"runtimeOptions"`
 	Config         *runtime.PodSandboxConfig `json:"config"`
-	RuntimeSpec    *runtimespec.Spec         `json:"runtimeSpec"`
-	CNIResult      *cni.Result               `json:"cniResult"`
+	// Note: RuntimeSpec may not be populated if the sandbox has not been fully created.
+	RuntimeSpec *runtimespec.Spec      `json:"runtimeSpec"`
+	CNIResult   *cni.Result            `json:"cniResult"`
+	Metadata    *sandboxstore.Metadata `json:"sandboxMetadata"`
 }
 
 // toCRISandboxInfo converts internal container object information to CRI sandbox status response info map.
 func toCRISandboxInfo(ctx context.Context, sandbox sandboxstore.Sandbox) (map[string]string, error) {
-	container := sandbox.Container
-	task, err := container.Task(ctx, nil)
-	if err != nil && !errdefs.IsNotFound(err) {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get sandbox container task: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	var processStatus containerd.ProcessStatus
-	if task != nil {
-		if taskStatus, err := task.Status(ctx); err != nil {
-			if !errdefs.IsNotFound(err) {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get task status: %w", err)
-			}
-			processStatus = containerd.Unknown
-		} else {
-			processStatus = taskStatus.Status
-		}
-	}
-
 	si := &SandboxInfo{
 		Pid:            sandbox.Status.Get().Pid,
-		RuntimeHandler: sandbox.RuntimeHandler,
-		Status:         string(processStatus),
 		Config:         sandbox.Config,
+		RuntimeHandler: sandbox.RuntimeHandler,
 		CNIResult:      sandbox.CNIResult,
 	}
 
+	if sandbox.Container != nil {
+		container := sandbox.Container
+		task, err := container.Task(ctx, nil)
+		if err != nil && !errdefs.IsNotFound(err) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get sandbox container task: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		var processStatus containerd.ProcessStatus
+		if task != nil {
+			if taskStatus, err := task.Status(ctx); err != nil {
+				if !errdefs.IsNotFound(err) {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get task status: %w", err)
+				}
+				processStatus = containerd.Unknown
+			} else {
+				processStatus = taskStatus.Status
+			}
+		}
+		si.Status = string(processStatus)
+
+		spec, err := container.Spec(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get sandbox container runtime spec: %w", err)
+		}
+		si.RuntimeSpec = spec
+
+		ctrInfo, err := container.Info(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get sandbox container info: %w", err)
+		}
+		// Do not use config.SandboxImage because the configuration might
+		// be changed during restart. It may not reflect the actual image
+		// used by the sandbox container.
+		si.Image = ctrInfo.Image
+		si.SnapshotKey = ctrInfo.SnapshotKey
+		si.Snapshotter = ctrInfo.Snapshotter
+
+		runtimeOptions, err := getRuntimeOptions(ctrInfo)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get runtime options: %w", err)
+		}
+		si.RuntimeType = ctrInfo.Runtime.Name
+		si.RuntimeOptions = runtimeOptions
+	}
+
 	if si.Status == "" {
 		// If processStatus is empty, it means that the task is deleted. Apply "deleted"
 		// status which does not exist in containerd.
@@ -188,29 +216,7 @@ func toCRISandboxInfo(ctx context.Context, sandbox sandboxstore.Sandbox) (map[st
 		si.NetNSClosed = closed
 	}
 
-	spec, err := container.Spec(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get sandbox container runtime spec: %w", err)
-	}
-	si.RuntimeSpec = spec
-
-	ctrInfo, err := container.Info(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get sandbox container info: %w", err)
-	}
-	// Do not use config.SandboxImage because the configuration might
-	// be changed during restart. It may not reflect the actual image
-	// used by the sandbox container.
-	si.Image = ctrInfo.Image
-	si.SnapshotKey = ctrInfo.SnapshotKey
-	si.Snapshotter = ctrInfo.Snapshotter
-
-	runtimeOptions, err := getRuntimeOptions(ctrInfo)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get runtime options: %w", err)
-	}
-	si.RuntimeType = ctrInfo.Runtime.Name
-	si.RuntimeOptions = runtimeOptions
+	si.Metadata = &sandbox.Metadata
 
 	infoBytes, err := json.Marshal(si)
 	if err != nil {