Cheteshwar Pujara has backed Sanju Samson. Pujara is a former India cricketer and now works as an expert for JioStar. He spoke on the show *Out or Not Out* on JioHotstar. He said people worry too much about Samson’s inconsistency in T20 cricket. Pujara feels one good innings is enough for Samson to get his form back.
Pujara said the form goes up and down in T20 cricket. That is normal. He said top-order batters do not need to be consistent all the time. In his view, consistency is sometimes overrated in T20s. He said every batter gets out in T20 cricket. He added that Samson is never really out of form. He just needs one good knock to feel confident again.
Samson played in the five-match T20I series against West Indies. He finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer. He made 168 runs, including two fifties.
Pujara also spoke about Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi playing together. He does not think both can be in the playing XI in New Zealand. He said New Zealand conditions may need more all-rounders. India might pick a spin-bowling all-rounder or a seam-bowling all-rounder. That leaves less room for specialist top-order batters. He said either Samson or Sooryavanshi can open. But both cannot play at the same time.
Pujara did say Sooryavanshi will get chances. He said the young batter will not sit out the whole series. If a spot opens up because of conditions or fitness, Sooryavanshi can play. But Pujara repeated that neither Samson nor Sooryavanshi can be in the XI in New Zealand.
The five-match T20I series starts on October 22 in Christchurch. It is India’s first multi-format bilateral tour of New Zealand in six years. The tour comes after India’s T20I series against West Indies, which ended 2-2.
Abhishek Nayar Explains Why Sanju Samson Is Ahead of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for New Zealand T20Is
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has explained why Sanju Samson is likely to keep his T20I place ahead of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the New Zealand series. Samson has had an up-and-down run. That has led to calls for Sooryavanshi to replace him. But Nayar says Samson has a habit of answering his critics with a big score.
Nayar said Samson makes fans and selectors emotional. He can go two games without runs. People start asking why Sooryavanshi is not playing. Then Samson suddenly scores 80 in quick time. Nayar said Samson keeps getting chances and keeps taking them. So there will be talk about his place. But Sooryavanshi will have to wait.
Nayar said the decision is not only about form. Team balance matters. India wants a left-right pair in the top order. With left-handers at the top and at number three, a right-hander in between helps. That is why Samson’s spot is safer. It also stops a bowler like Bracewell from bowling out his overs in the powerplay.
Nayar also warned against choppy selection. He said frequent changes can hurt team culture more than one young player’s career. He said the message to Sooryavanshi is to wait for his turn. He will get chances. Maybe he will play in a series where Samson is rested or absent. But for now, the left-right combination keeps Samson ahead.
FAQs
Q. Why has Cheteshwar Pujara backed Sanju Samson?
A. Pujara believes one good innings can restore Samson’s confidence and form.
Q. How many runs did Sanju Samson score against the West Indies?
A. Samson scored 168 runs, including two half-centuries, in the five-match T20I series.
Q. Why might Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not play together in New Zealand?
A. India may need more all-rounders to suit New Zealand conditions, leaving fewer places for specialist batters.
Q. Why does Abhishek Nayar believe Samson is ahead of Sooryavanshi?
A. Nayar believes Samson’s experience and India’s preferred left-right batting combination support his selection.
Q. When does India-New Zealand five-match T20I series begin?
A. The series begins on October 22 in Christchurch.
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