Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer feels Sanju Samson makes a strong case to bat at number four but the team’s think tank will want to give a longer run to Shivam Dube. Dube didn’t get to bat against Ireland but managed only three runs from nine balls against Pakistan.
Furthermore, he also dropped Mohammad Rizwan’s catch when he was on seven. However, Dube played a crucial unbeaten knock of 31 runs 35 balls against hosts USA at New York on Wednesday and added 72 runs with Suryakumar Yadav to help India get over the line in the run-chase of 111.
Meanwhile, Samson scored 531 runs in 15 innings at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46, with five half-centuries in IPL 2024 while leading Rajasthan Royals but he was dismissed for a solitary run in the warm-up match against Bangladesh.
“There might be a case for Sanju Samson at No. 4. But then Shivam Dube has got just a couple of games and the team management will want to give him a longer run. Whether Samson will play, whether Jaiswal will play, these decisions are something that the team management will need to think about going forward.”
On the other hand, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have failed to stitch together a good foundation in the three matches. They had added 12, 22, and 0 in the first three matches.
Jaffer reckons India needs to adopt an aggressive batting approach and make the most of the Powerplay overs.
“You will need to be proactive in the powerplay. You will reach nowhere if you play cautiously on such pitches because the bowler knows he has to bowl on a spot and let the pitch do the rest. We have seen players like Rishabh Pant get rewarded for their bravery and that’s the way you need to play with the powerplay restrictions.”
India will next take on Canada at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday.
