Former national selector Devang Gandhi has criticised Sanju Samson’s inconsistency in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, insisting that his issues are both mental and technical. Samson has had a string of low scores in the series, registering innings of 10, 6, 0 and 24, which has sparked debate over his place in the playing XI.
“See, his (Samson’s) issues are both mental and technical,” said Devang in an interaction with RevSportz. “Cricket is a game of confidence. His footwork earlier wasn’t expansive, but it was minimal and perfect. Those small things are missing now. Mentally, he doesn’t seem to be in the right frame of mind, and that needs to be sorted out. If he focuses on the basics – even in T20 cricket – it’s not always about playing fancy shots. Just stick to the basics. Go to the nets. It’s not about hitting all the time; that comes naturally to the current generation. He needs to focus on fundamentals, which will give him confidence. If he is better prepared, he can get out of this poor run of form.”
He added, “We all know the kind of talent he (Sanju) possesses, but if you look at his overall career, he has not been very consistent. These recent failures will add to the concerns of the team management. Heading into the World Cup, you want both your openers to be in good form. Abhishek Sharma is in sublime form, but at the moment Sanju looks like a walking wicket, which is a concern.”
Ishan Kishan, who was drafted into the T20I side as a back-up for Samson, has been in tremendous form of late. If things continue in this manner, it could become difficult for Samson to find a spot in the playing XI for the T20 World Cup.
When asked whether Ishan should replace Samson at the top of the order, Devang said, “The way he (Ishan) is playing, he is absolutely fearless and oozing confidence. India should take advantage of the fact that he is batting well.”
The former India opener is also comfortable with the team management trying two left-handers at the start.
“Why not? If you look at history, Australia had two left-handers in Hayden and Gilchrist. Both Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan are attacking players and are in tremendous form. Opposition bowlers would be sceptical about bowling to them because of their ultra-aggressive approach. That always plays on a bowler’s mind.”
Devang was a selector when the Indian team won the Nidahas Trophy in 2018. Since then, the Indian team has gone from strength to strength, winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Asia Cup last year.
“India has done exceedingly well in this format in the last few years,” he said. “When we won the first T20 World Cup in South Africa, a score of 150–160 was considered more than par. Over the last 15–16 years, the IPL has helped players evolve. They now express themselves without the fear of getting out. Scores have moved from 150 to 200, and now even 250 or 270 at times, with matches still being close. Players now go out to express themselves from the very first ball. It’s heartening to see how well they have adapted.”
When asked to comment on the current T20I side under Suryakumar Yadav, Devang said, “This Indian team is an absolutely fearless bunch, and any opposition would dread playing against them. If you look at the previous T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the Asia Cup in Dubai, India showed sheer dominance. They have solid openers, a strong middle order with Surya and Tilak Verma, quality all-rounders in Hardik and Shivam, and they have all bases covered. With Bumrah, one of the best in the business, along with Arshdeep, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, India have a well-balanced attack. They are clear frontrunners to defend the title at home.”
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