Sanju Samson has potential but failed in the first two T20Is to hit form and former batsman Mohammad Kaif advised him to learn the craft of building partnerships from none other than Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
Sanju Samson looked good and had the knack of scoring big runs but threw his wickets and did not build the innings unlike Virat Kohli does often.
Sanju Samson. Image Credit: Twitter.
Sanju Samson Debuted Back In 2015 But Scored Only 73 Runs In 6 T20Is
In the first T20I, he scored 23 off 15 balls with 1 four and 1 six while in the 2nd T20I, he scored only 15 off 10 balls with 1 four and 1 six again. He is included in India’s squad in ongoing 3rd T20I, where he will look to make amends by scoring runs and building crucial partnerships.
India have clinched the ongoing three-match T20I series against Australia with two consecutive wins in the first two games. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, T Natarajan and Shikhar Dhawan have impressed for the Men in Blue.
Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant- Photo Credit: Getty Images,
Since Rishabh Pant is also out of the limited-overs squads for poor form in IPL and failure to convert starts in limited-overs, Sanju Samson has been playing as a back-up wicket-keeper batsman in the series with KL Rahulkeeping the wickets. Kerala born 26-year-old wicket-keeper has been around the Indian team since debuting in 2015 against Zimbabwe but he is yet to cement his spot in the side, playing only 6 T20Is. He has scored 73 runs only at a pathetic average of 12.16.
In the ongoing series against Aussies, he has once again failed to make an impact. Sanju Samson, who is known for his ability to play big shots at will, has managed to show glimpses of his talent but is yet to set the stage on fire and failed to convert his start into a big score.
Sanju Samson Has X-Factor And Ability To Hit Sixes And Should Learn From Skipper How To Build An Innings: Mohammad Kaif
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has advised him to learn from Virat Kohli on how to build an innings and not just depend on boundaries. He believes that the Kerala wicket-keeper is an ‘X-factor’ player for India but he has been wasting his opportunities frequently and needs to improvise better in the upcoming games.
“According to me, we have won the series. He has got two innings and in the first T20I, Sanju Samson was looking good. It felt like he could score runs. And he has the X-factor, he has the ability to hit sixes,” Kaif said during a discussion on the Sony Sports network.
“Yes, he is frittering away his chances. He is new and will get more chances although he has not grasped his chances like Natarajan has done. That has not happened with Sanju Samson but I feel he should get more chances.”
Mohammad Kaif-Photo Credit: Getty Images.
“If Samson gets the opportunity now, then he should take the example from Virat Kohli in the middle. Virat Kohli is a player who also makes the runs through singles and doubles. You can hit the sixes but he needs to learn from Virat Kohli on how to build an innings,” Kaif added.
India will be eager to avenge ODI series defeat and register a 3-0 whitewash when they take on Australia in the third and final T20I on Tuesday, 8th December and will also want to extend their 9-match winning streak. India won 2 T20Is against Sri Lanka before inflicting a 5-0 whitewash to New Zealand and winning last 2 T20Is against Australia.
