Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes there shouldn’t be any questions regarding Sanju Samson’s place amid the T20I series against the West Indies. The Kerala batter was dismissed after managing only 11 runs in the opening game of the series.
Samson had also failed to deliver the goods in two matches of the Asian Games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The flamboyant batter had scored only nine runs in these two games.
“I hope that there is no pressure on him because there shouldn’t be. He has won a World Cup for the Indian team. He has performed exceptionally well in the World Cup, and he is a quality player. So there shouldn’t be any questions around him being part of the playing XI,” Cheteshwar Pujara said on JioStar.
Pujara said the team management needs to back experienced players like Sanju Samson in the team.
“You might have one or two bad games, and if he has that, that’s the time when the team management has to step in. Give him the right message that he is an important part of this team and will be part of the playing XI. So just go out there, express yourself, and play your natural game. In a T20 format, you are not bound to score runs in each and every innings,” Pujara observed.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma was dismissed by off-spinner Roston Chase in the series opener after scoring 21 runs. Pujara highlighted that the Indian opener doesn’t have a great record against off-spinners.
“Abhishek got off to a good start against the seamers. Shai Hope quickly realized that on the pitch in Lucknow there was enough assistance for the spinners. Abhishek’s record against off-spinners hasn’t been great, although he has improved those numbers significantly,” he replied.
“However, in Lucknow again, it looked like he wasn’t in the best frame of mind against the spinners. His options, especially against Roston Chase, could have been slightly better. Although he wanted to hit that ball over cover, it eventually ended up going toward long-off,” Pujara observed.
The second T20I between India and the West Indies will be played on Friday.
