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India’s former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has made a bold statement on Sanju Samson after the team’s terrible batting collapse against England in the third T20I at Trent Bridge on July 7. Nayar made it clear that bringing Samson back into the playing XI alone will not solve India's problems unless the team management uses him in the right batting position.
After India's record 125-run defeat at Trent Bridge, there have been massive demands for Samson's return to the playing XI. Many believe that the wicketkeeper-batter deserves another chance after India's top order failed badly once again on the England tour.
India's batting disaster raises big questions over Sanju Samson's exclusion
The Shreyas Iyer-led Indian team’s batting completely collapsed while chasing 202 against England. They were bowled out for just 76 runs in only 11.4 overs, registering their biggest defeat by runs in T20I history. Amid this, Gautam Gambhir keeps Sanju Samson talks private after England snub.
The embarrassing loss has put head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shreyas Iyer, and the selectors under immense pressure, as it was their fourth defeat in a row. One of the biggest talking points after the defeat has been Sanju Samson.
The wicketkeeper-batter, who played a key role in India's successful 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, was dropped after scoring 5, 0, and 1 in his last three innings. They decided to give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the opening spot.
However, Vaibhav failed to perform in his first two games on the tour. Additionally, Tilak Varma's poor form has also added to the pressure on the current batting line-up.
Abhishek Nayar gives big verdict on Samson after India's batting disaster
Well, Abhishek Nayar said Samson has always looked at his best while opening the innings or batting in the top three. He feels dropping the struggling batter Tilak and pushing Samson into the middle order only to fit him into the team will not help either team or the senior wicketkeeper. The former assistant coach said that if the team can’t give Samson the top spot, then it’s better not to play him and continue with Tilak.
Abhishek Nayar said on Star Sports Networks, “I really feel that if you have to get Sanju Samson back in, you want to position him in a place where he can succeed. Now, just because you want to bring him in, you're going to bat him at No. 4, 5, or 6. It's not something he's done a lot. It's not something he's been successful at.”
The former assistant coach further explained, “He's been best suited when he's opened or batted in the top three. So, if you aren't giving him that position, then I feel it's better that you don't play Sanju Samson and instead stick with the kind of batting line-up India has.”
Abhishek Nayar warns India against panic over Sanju Samson
Nayar also suggested the Indian team management not make panic changes after one heavy defeat. He feels the current situation needs smart decisions rather than emotional ones.
He signed off by saying, “You don't want to press the panic button. You don't want to make changes for the sake of it. If Sanju Samson has to come in, that's all the management has to do: position him in a place where he can succeed.”
