India’s former Test opening batter Aakash Chopra believes the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel cannot ignore Sanju Samson for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Samson has all the class in his batting but he can be a bit inconsistent at times.
After scoring only nine runs in the second ODI against the West Indies, Samson came out with a clear plan in the third and deciding game. Samson was able to hit the ground running in the third ODI at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad on Tuesday.
The flamboyant batter scored a fine knock of 51 runs off just 41 balls with the help of two fours and four sixes. The Kerala batter took on the attack against Yannic Cariah, who had dismissed him in the second game. Samson smashed two sixes on the first four balls he faced and took an aggressive approach while batting at number four.
Samson completed his fifty off just 39 balls but was dismissed right after getting to the personal milestone when he was looking to clear the mid-off fielder but could not manage to do it.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “There was a question about Sanju Samson. He was brilliant in the last game. He batted extremely well and in a different fashion. The position at which he batted, he stays afloat, because it’s the place where he can get a chance.”
The former Indian opener added: “He will play the T20s as well, he is a part of that series. One match was bad and he scored runs in the other match. I will look at runs because anyone can have a bad match. The ability and the method to score runs, he scored a fifty, of course, you cannot ignore him at all.”
On the other hand, the reputed commentator also showered praise on Hardik Pandya, who scored a quickfire knock of 70 runs off just 52 balls to help his team post 351 runs on the board.
“Hardik Pandya – the form is back. The way he batted in the last match was heartening to see because he took his time at the start and then the acceleration after that – five sixes and four fours. No one hits straight sixes better than him. So that’s always a great story.”
India will now take on the West Indies in five-match T20I series.
