Aakash Chopra Flags Sanju Samson’s Struggles; Hints Chances in New Zealand T20Is

Aakash Chopra said Sanju Samson’s poor run was worrying but felt the batter could still get more opportunities in the ongoing series.

Former India opener and commentator Aakash Chopra believes Sanju Samson may still be handed additional chances in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, despite the wicketkeeper-batter’s continued struggle for runs. Samson’s disappointing performances, including a golden duck in the third T20I, have once again put his place in the playing XI under scrutiny after he regained it from Shubman Gill.

Samson’s returns with the bat in the series have been underwhelming, leading to intense debate over his spot in the side. With Ishan Kishan making a strong comeback and impressing with the bat, competition for the wicketkeeper-batter role has increased, further putting pressure on the Kerala cricketer.

Speaking while analysing India’s squad combination and upcoming fixtures, Chopra suggested that the team management could persist with Samson for another couple of games, especially with Tilak Varma ruled out of the last two T20Is after failing to recover in time.

“Tilak Varma might not be available for these two games, which means he will join the team before the World Cup, which is a great thing actually, because Sanju Samson will get two more opportunities here. Now you will see both Sanju and Ishan Kishan playing. One of the games is at Sanju’s home. It is in Thiruvananthapuram,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Aakash On Sanju Samson’s Chances

Chopra added that Samson needed these opportunities, pointing out that the pressure could have been avoided had the batter continued opening earlier in the season.

“It was necessary for him to get two more chances because if we hadn’t pivoted in the Asia Cup and Sanju had kept opening, he might not have been feeling this pressure at this time, because it’s unfair. If he had kept opening, either you would have become a hero or gone out. So good news for Sanju and his fans that there are two more games,” he added.

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The former opener further stressed that Samson has been given enough chances over time and that this cannot be questioned. However, Chopra highlighted a recurring pattern in Samson’s dismissals, which he believes affects India’s stability at the top of the order.

“Nobody can actually argue or complain that full chances weren’t given, although the truth is that Sanju is struggling. We are seeing that clearly. He is going deep into the crease and getting beaten and out to full deliveries. It’s happened in three consecutive innings. This happens with Sanju. When he gets out, he keeps getting out cheaply,” the Agra-born concluded.

India have already sealed the five-match series 3-0. The team will next play the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, January 28, before wrapping up the series with the fifth and final match at Samson’s hometown, Thiruvananthapuram.