Former India Captain Ajinkya Rahane Backs Sanju Samson Despite Golden Duck in IND vs NZ 3rd T20I
India opener Sanju Samson's struggles with the bat continued in the third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati, where he was dismissed for a golden duck. Chasing a target of 154 runs, Samson was clean bowled by New Zealand pacer Matt Henry off the very first ball of the innings. This marked his third consecutive poor performance, with scores of 10, 6, and 0 in his recent outings as India's first-choice wicket-keeper opener.
Rahane's Strong Support for Samson Over Kishan
Despite growing calls for Samson to be dropped in favor of the in-form Ishan Kishan, former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has come out in strong support of the Kerala cricketer. Rahane emphasized that he would continue to back Samson even if he fails to score runs in the next two T20Is. He expressed confidence that the team management and captain would also stand by Samson, highlighting his quality and ability as a player.
"When Tilak Varma comes back, Ishan Kishan sits out for me. Sanju Samson, I'll back him even if he doesn't get any runs in the next two T20Is. I am sure the management and the captain are going to back Sanju Samson. He's a quality player. He just needs to believe in himself," Rahane stated during an appearance on Cricbuzz.
Rahane's Advice to Samson: Revisit IPL Success
Rahane offered specific advice to Samson, urging him to draw inspiration from his past performances, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Rajasthan Royals. He suggested that Samson should focus on expressing himself freely and spending some time at the crease before accelerating his innings.
"Let's not compare him with Abhishek Sharma, who's at the other end. Sanju Samson has a different ability. He should go out there and think about his old innings and those he has played for the Rajasthan Royals. Just going out there and expressing himself will get him back in form," Rahane added.
Harbhajan Singh Echoes Support with a Caveat
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also shared a similar sentiment, suggesting that Samson might receive a couple more opportunities to prove himself. However, he noted that runs would ultimately determine his spot in the team, and if Samson continues to struggle, Ishan Kishan could soon be opening the innings.
"Sanju is not getting runs. I hope they give him a chance or two more. It is important that he get runs for his confidence, as well as the team's confidence. But, if runs don't come, it is only natural that you see Ishan Kishan opening quite soon," Harbhajan commented on his YouTube channel.
Looking Ahead: Team Selection and Series Expectations
With Tilak Varma expected to return to the squad for the fifth T20I in Thiruvananthapuram later this week, Rahane's preference is clear: he would retain Samson ahead of Kishan in the playing XI. This ongoing debate highlights the competitive nature of team selection in Indian cricket, where form and potential are constantly weighed against each other.
Harbhajan Singh remains optimistic about India's chances in the series, predicting a 5-0 victory. As the team prepares for the upcoming matches, all eyes will be on whether Samson can turn his fortunes around and justify the faith shown in him by former players and the management alike.
