Ajinkya Rahane has backed wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson despite his back-to-back failures in the three T20Is so far in the ongoing five-match series. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Rahane labelled Sanju as a match winner.
“What I saw about him in the T20 format in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well, he liked to play his game. My only thing is that the communication from the management is really important at this moment because Ishan Kishan is batting well. The team generally looks at the guy who’s doing well and performing well, who’s in that rhythm. So Sanju Samson is all about having that communication. Just give him the freedom. He’s a quality player. He’s a match winner. He just needs to back himself and then play his own game,” he said.
Samson finally got back his opening spot when India decided to leave out Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup squad. The Kerala-born player used to open for India in T20Is before Gill was brought back into the T20I setup. However, so far, he has failed to impress in the ongoing New Zealand series. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan played a match-winning knock in the second match. Some experts believe that if Kishan continues his blistering form, then it will be difficult for the team management to ignore him in the playing XI for the T20 World Cup.
Rahane also believes that Samson needs backing from the team management. “That’s where I feel the team management’s role and the captain’s role will be crucial, telling Sanju Samson that you’re going to play all these matches and also in the World Cup as well. So don’t worry about your place,” he added.
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