Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Sanju Samson’s problem is the fact that he plays too many shots. Samson has received sporadic chances in the playing XI for the team as he has been a bit inconsistent at the top level.
The Kerala batter has been picked for the Bangladesh T20I series and he will look to grab his chance with both hands. The 29-year-old has scored 444 runs in 30 T20I matches at an average of 19.3 and a strike rate of 131.36.
However, Samson has a better record in the IPL as he has scored 4419 runs in 167 matches at an average of 30.69 and a strike rate of 138.96.
“Sanju re baba – make Samson open because Abhishek Sharma is certain at one end. However, since you have not picked Ruturaj Gaikwad, he was playing in the Irani Trophy, so only Sanju Samson is left. He has opened, he has played at No. 3, and we have even seen him bat down the order at No. 5 and No. 6,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel when asked if Samson can open the innings against Bangladesh.
Samson has a great gift of timing the ball and there aren’t many attractive batters than him when he gets going.
“He is an incredible and mighty player. When he scores runs, he shows as if it’s very easy to bat. However, his problem is that he goes for one too many shots. Then he gets out and you say – ‘How did you do that Sanju, this was a chance and you let it go’,” Chopra added.
The renowned commentator added that the opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will give left and right-hand batting combination to the hosts.
“I see Sanju as an opener along with Abhishek Sharma. So a left-hander from one end and a right-hander from the other. The Indian team will go with this opening combination keeping in mind that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were the two openers in the last (T20) World Cup you played,” he said.
“If both have taken retirement from T20Is, the place is vacant at the top only. There are many candidates and contenders there. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma are there, and now Sanju Samson will also become part of that list,” Chopra elaborated.
The opening T20I between India and Bangladesh will be played in Gwalior on Sunday.
