Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has shed light on Sanju Samson’s concerning form after the fourth T20I against New Zealand. Samson is struggling to get going as he has managed only 40 runs in the first four games against the Kiwis.

The Kerala batter has returned with scores of 10, 6, 0 and 24 in the ongoing series and has looked out of confidence. Samson has been a bit inconsistent in his career and there is no doubt that the pressure is rising on the flamboyant batter.

“If you are not a good player, you cannot reach here. When your mind is clouded with a lot of thoughts, it gets tough to pick the lengths and lines. I am very certain things are going on in his mind. We cannot make a slot for a player. It is not about running with a player and banking on it. It is also important to tell the player to take a break. Sometimes sitting outside and reflecting can make you a better player. I don’t agree that he should go back to the middle order. You cannot make a slot for a player, then everybody else will also rotate around it,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.

Ashwin urged Samson to change his tactics in the fifth T20I against New Zealand as Ishan Kishan is also breathing down his neck.

“They are bowling on the middle and leg to Sanju because he does not have a back and across movement. It is really getting to a point that it is pushing players. He has been pushed to a place where he has to show the bowlers something else. He is trying to do something because he is uncomfortable with the plan being dealt out to him. He has been pushed to a corner but he is willing to try. He is trying to respond. Maybe you will not get the result immediately. This might take time, but he is at least thinking to put pressure on the bowlers. That is a good sign. But he is going on a fine line and there is pressure with Ishan sitting in the dugout,” he reflected.

The fifth and final T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Thiruvanthapuram on Saturday.