Sanju Samson blasted right after being named India's opener

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra shared his thoughts on Sanju Samson opening the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma in the first T20I match against Bangladesh.

Aakash Chopra said that Sanju Samson is an incredible and mighty player, but he will get out by playing one too many shots.

India will take on Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series in Gwalior on Sunday, October 6.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will open the innings for Team India. Notably, Abhishek is the only regular opener included in the 15-member squad.

Abhishek Sharma Is Certain At One End - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Sanju Samson is the best option to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. He praised Samson for his talent and ability to make batting look easy. Chopra said that his attempt to play too many aggressive shots often leads to his dismissal.

"Sanju re baba - make Samson open because Abhishek Sharma is certain at one end. However, since you have not picked Ruturaj Gaikwad, he was playing in the Irani Trophy, so only Sanju Samson is left. He has opened, he has played at No. 3, and we have even seen him bat down the order at No. 5 and No. 6," he said.

"He is an incredible and mighty player. When he scores runs, he shows as if it's very easy to bat. However, his problem is that he goes for one too many shots. Then he gets out and you say - 'How did you do that Sanju, this was a chance and you let it go'," Chopra added.

Sanju Samson's Record In T20Is For Team India

Samson has been inconsistent in India’s white-ball squads in recent years. The 29-year-old batter has scored 444 runs in 30 T20I matches at a strike rate of 131.36, including two half-centuries. However, his performance has been less impressive as a T20I opener with 105 runs across five innings.

The selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar decided to rest Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who were part of the recent Test series against Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20Is, while Ruturaj Gaikwad was not included in the squad for the upcoming home T20I series.

Team Will Go With This Opening Combination - Aakash Chopra

In the same video, Aakash Chopra said that Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson would provide a balanced left-right combination. He added that this duo could be a strategic choice for the Men in Blue.

"I see Sanju as an opener along with Abhishek Sharma. So a left-hander from one end and a right-hander from the other. The Indian team will go with this opening combination keeping in mind that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were the two openers in the last (T20) World Cup you played," Chopra further stated.

Also read: Bangladesh players lock themselves in the Gwalior Hotel as Security Concerns mount ahead of the 1st T20I