IND vs WI: If Ishan Kishan Doesn't Have A Good Day In Third T20I, I Won't Be Surprised By A Change For Sri Lanka T20Is: Aakash Chopra

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra said Sanju Samson could play for India in the Sri Lanka T20I series if Ishan Kishan fails to deliver in the final T20I match against West Indies.

After his 42-ball 35 in the first match, the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter could manage just two runs from 10 balls at the Eden Gardens on Friday. Ishan found a thick leading edge while attempting to play a Sheldon Cottrell length delivery only for Kyle Mayers to pouch a catch at the backward point.

Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson in Sri Lanka T20Is?

After sealing the T20I series with an unassailable 2-0 lead against Kieron Pollard and his men, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to hand bio-bubble breaks to Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant for four T20I matches. Pant’s unavailability in the third T20I means Ishan will retain his spot in the team to keep the wickets.

Kishan and Kerala player Sanju Samson are named as the two designated wicket-keepers for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Samson has played 10 T20I matches for India since 2015 but has amassed just 117 runs at an abysmal average of 11.7.

You just want to give Sanju Samson another chance in T20 cricket: Aakash Chopra

Chopra feels that if Ishan doesn’t perform well in the final T20I against West Indies, Samson should be given the opportunity to play against Sri Lanka with Maharashtra skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma.

“It’s alright. You just want to give him another chance in T20 cricket. It’s not like you haven’t given him any chances. You have but he hasn’t made the most of them. You are giving him another chance because you see a spark in him, you feel he can do something.

“If Ishan Kishan doesn’t have a good day again tomorrow, I won’t be surprised by a change [for the Sri Lanka T20Is]. Then you might open with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rohit Sharma and play Sanju Samson at No. 3,” Chopra opined on his official YouTube channel on Saturday. 

India will play the final T20I match against the West Indies on Sunday (February 20) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata before they take on their Asian neighbours in the first T20I game on February 24.

Also Read: IND vs WI: We Need To Give Ishan Kishan Another Game, No Point Giving Ruturaj Gaikwad One Game: Wasim Jaffer