IND vs IRE: "You Will Have To Bat Sanju Samson Up The Order If You Have To Get The Best Out Of Him" - Aakash Chopra
Published - 15 Aug 2023, 01:04 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:17 AM
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra stated that wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson should be promoted up the batting order to maximize his potential across formats. Aakash Chopra highlighted that skipper Rohit Sharma realized his potential by performing well as the opener.
Sanju Samson batted at various positions during the recent white-ball series against the West Indies. The right-handed batter played at No. 3 and No. 4 in the ODI matches, while he batted in the lower order at No. 5 or No. 6 in T20Is. He scored a half-century at No. 4 in the final ODI.
Will Have To Bat Sanju Samson Up The Order – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra highlighted that Rohit Sharma‘s numbers were disappointing in the early stages of his international career.
“You will have to bat Sanju Samson up the order if you have to get the best out of him, irrespective of the format. You will be able to do justice to his talent only if you can bat him up the order. Maybe a very similar case with Rohit Sharma,” Chopra said.
Sanju Samson will next be seen in action during the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team, and the matches are set to be played between August 18 and 23.
The Chances Are Slightly Less – Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator said that Sanju Samson is unlikely to succeed lower down the order, highlighting that he needs to be given a chance at the top order.
“I feel we are trying to make him succeed in the lower-middle order but the chances are slightly less because all his numbers due to which he gets selected are either as an opener or at No. 3. His numbers have never been good at No. 4 or lower,” he further added.
“So if his numbers are not good at all there and if you ask him to be played there, then you are neither here nor there. I am convinced about one thing that if you have to give chances, give them in such a way that he can give his best,” he concluded.
The Kerala wicketkeeper batter’s selection for the Asia Cup 2023 depends on the fitness of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. The team management might consider Ishan Kishan as a backup wicketkeeper for KL Rahul, who would be the first-choice player for that role.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Brad Hogg Picks Sanju Samson As Team India’s No. 4 Batter And Wicketkeeper
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Aakash Chopra IND vs IRE 2023 India National Cricket Team India tour of Ireland 2023 India vs Ireland 2023 Rohit Sharma Sanju Samson
