India made a total of three changes to their playing XI for the fourth T20I. The visiting team rested Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami for Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar and Navdeep Saini. Samson’s inclusion made headlines as he played as an opener and was preferred over Rishabh Pant for a place in the playing XI.
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Samson failed to make most of the opportunity as he was dismissed on 8 off five. The mode of dismissal was most surprising as he went for a big shot – even after hitting a six on the first ball of the second over – and was caught after top-edging the ball.
Sundar too struggled on comeback into playing XI and went for 24 runs in two overs. Saini didn’t get any wicket but only gave runs 29 in four overs. He kept India in the hunt and only gave four runs in the penultimate over. He is confirmed to keep his place in the side for the fifth T20I.
Will Sanju Samson be dropped after failing in fourth T20I?
Will Samson be given another chance in the final T20I? This is the biggest question at the moment as he squandered the opportunity provided. The team management has shown the tendency to back players but that isn’t the case with those who are not regular members of the team.
Despite that, Samson is expected to get one more go, which means Rohit will rest for the final T20I as well. This will probably be the final chance for Samson to impress the team management as India do not play a T20I for almost four months now and he isn’t a part of ODI and Test team.
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Samson will have IPL to draw the interest of selectors once again but he will lose management’s confidence if he disappoints in the fifth T20I. Hence, he has to make sure that he grabs the opportunity in the fifth T20I.
Talking of Rishabh, he might not be part of playing XI as there is no vacant position. KL Rahul isn’t expected to be rested for the final T20I while other batsmen have to be given a long rope. Rishabh might sit out of playing XI in ODIs as well and isn’t a member of the playing XI in Tests.