Last Update on: August 14th, 2023 at 02:15 pm
Former India opener, Aakash Chopra spoke on Sanju Samson’s performance in the five-match T20I series against West Indies and asked why he is being sent at number 5 place in the batting order.
In the fifth 20-over match on Sunday (August 13), India lost the match by eight wickets against the Caribbeans. India displayed a poor performance in both innings.
Indian openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill failed to reach double digits. However, Suryakumar Yadav made 61 runs from 45 balls which assisted the visitors to give a target of 166 runs.
In the second inning, the Men in Blues bowling attack only took two wickets and failed to defend the target. Arshdeep Singh and Tilak Varma were the only wicket-takers for Hardik Pandya’s side.
While speaking on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that the India skipper failed to find form in the fifth T2I match. Chopra also mentioned how Hardik Pandya hammered a six and got out.
“Hardik Pandya just could not find form. He had scored eight runs off 16 balls at one stage. You are batting at No. 6, slightly towards the backend, but the bat was not striking the ball at all. He hit a six and then got out,” said Aakash Chopra.
The 45-year-old said that after Tilak Varma went outside the crease India shuffled their batting order and Sanju Samson came to bat at number five and after playing good shots, Sanju Samson was dismissed.
“Tilak Varma got out and India shuffled their batting once again. You asked Sanju Samson to bat at No. 5 this time and Hardik Pandya himself came at No. 6. He (Samson) played one or two good shots and then he got out,” added Chopra.
Has he missed a lot of chances?: Aakash Chopra on Sanju Samson
The former India opener asked why Sanju Samson is coming at number five when he is auditioning for number six place in the batting order.
“I am trying to understand why you repeatedly send him at No. 5 when you are auditioning him for No. 6. Has he missed a lot of chances? What about Sanju Samson? It’s a big, big, big question,” Chopra further added on Sanju Samson.
However, the Men in Blues will be concentrating on the forthcoming Ireland series which will be starting from Friday (August 18).
Every Indian cricket fan will be waiting for the three-match T20I series since Jasprit Bumrah will again be seen donning the India jersey after coming out of injury. Bumrah will also be leading the India squad against Ireland.