After Ishan Kishan’s impressive performance in the second T20I against New Zealand, former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that Sanju Samson will be feeling the pressure to maintain his spot in the T20I playing XI. Chopra suggested that if Samson fails to deliver in the upcoming third T20I in Guwahati, he could be replaced by Tilak Varma if the latter is fit for the remaining two matches of the series.
Samson’s scores of 10 and 6 in the first two T20Is have not been up to the mark, especially compared to Kishan’s explosive innings of 76 off 32 balls in the previous match. With India taking a 2-0 lead in the series, the competition for spots in the playing XI has intensified.
During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Chopra highlighted the pressure on Samson, stating, “Comebacks are tougher than debuts. And after getting dismissed for not too much in the first game, very few people will go out with the same kind of bravado and confidence like Ishan did in the second game. So he has done his chances no harm. Pressure on Sanju now.”
Chopra also praised Kishan for making the most of his opportunities, mentioning that sometimes destiny plays a role in a player’s comeback. He cited the example of Sarfaraz Khan to emphasize the unpredictability of cricket selection.
Kishan’s remarkable knock in Raipur, where he struck 11 fours and four sixes before being dismissed, solidified his case for a spot in the playing XI. However, Chopra raised concerns about having three left-handers in the top three if Varma is fit for the final two T20Is. Despite the potential imbalance, Chopra acknowledged that it’s not uncommon to see top orders with either all right-handers or left-handers.
As Team India aims to clinch the series in the upcoming match in Guwahati, the competition for spots in the playing XI is intense. With Kishan’s resurgence and Samson’s struggle for form, the selectors will have a tough decision to make regarding the composition of the team.
Overall, the series between India and New Zealand promises to be an exciting contest, with players like Kishan and Samson vying for their places in the T20I squad. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the final lineup for Team India.
