Synopsis
Mumbai, Feb 4 (NationPress) Indian opener Sanju Samson has garnered criticism for his lack of form with just 51 runs in five innings against England. Former teammates Ravichandran Ashwin and Kris Srikkanth have pointed out the repetitive nature of his dismissals, urging him to resolve his batting issues.Key Takeaways
- Sanju Samson has scored just 51 runs in five matches against England.
- His performance has drawn criticism from former players like Ashwin and Srikkanth.
- Samson’s injury adds to his challenges as he faces a month-long recovery.
- Opportunities may arise for other wicketkeepers like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
- Selectors might consider Rishabh Pant after IPL.
Mumbai, Feb 4 (NationPress) With just 51 runs in five innings against England during the five-match T20 series, Indian opener Sanju Samson is under scrutiny due to his inconsistent performance. Former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin and ex-captain Kris Srikkanth have criticized the wicketkeeper for the repetitive nature of his dismissals.
Despite India's convincing 4-1 victory over England in the recent five-match T20I series, it has not masked some underlying issues, particularly Samson's poor form as an opening batter.
Samson, who celebrated three centuries in two series against Bangladesh and South Africa in October-November 2024, could only accumulate 51 runs against England, with a mere 26 in the first match at Eden Gardens being his highest score.
In a discussion on his YouTube channel, Ashwin remarked, "If Sanju continues to get out in such a manner, it can lead to confusion in the mind of a batter."
He added, "(This will lead you to question) whether the bowler is performing well or if I have my own weaknesses? Can I adjust? Such questions can complicate things further."
Former Indian captain and chief selector, Srikkanth, also voiced his concerns regarding Samson's recent performances, noting the wicketkeeper's tendency to get out in similar ways in recent matches.
“Sanju Samson appears to have missed his opportunity. For the fifth time, he has been dismissed in the same manner. He seems to be displaying a bit of ego, insisting on playing certain shots. Is he on an ego trip or genuinely struggling? I am uncertain,” Srikkanth stated in a report by Inside Sport.
With Samson facing a month-long recovery following a fracture to his right index finger sustained in the fifth T20I against England at Wankhede Stadium, his challenges are likely to worsen as he will have limited time to prepare for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Srikkanth has already proposed that Yashasvi Jaiswal be given a chance to open the innings, given Samson's form and injury, presenting opportunities for other wicketkeeper batters to step up.
While Dhruv Jurel is part of the squad for the England T20I series as the second wicketkeeper, selectors may also consider bringing Rishabh Pant into the mix after the IPL.
