Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has urged India’s management to give batting opportunity to Sanju Samson against Oman in the Asia Cup clash on Friday. Samson did not get a chance to bat in the first two matches against the UAE and Pakistan.

Chopra reckons Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav should decide to bat first if he wins the toss against Oman. India has already qualified for the Super Four stage and this will be a dead-rubber contest for the Men in Blue. Chopra feels it would be a good opportunity to give Sanju Samson some game time with the bat.

“Should India bat first if they win the toss? I feel you should put a stamp on that. Bat first. You chased 50-odd runs in the first match and nearly 130 runs in the second match. If you bat first, everyone will get to bat and be in form. Everyone does not have form as of now. We have seen glimpses,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Sanju Samson is wondering whether he is being played only for keeping as the five above him have batted and the five below him have bowled. If Sanju Samson doesn’t get a chance in this match, he might not get to bat in the entire Asia Cup. Give him a chance and get the guy in form,” he added.

The renowned commentator believes India should give more chances to Sanju Samson as he is not getting his opportunity at his preferred position.

“Now that you have made his job difficult, you have to make it easy in a way. You have made it difficult because you are not playing him in the top three. He has scored most of his runs there. If you are not playing him there and are playing him from Nos. 5 to 7, give him more chances,” he responded.

“He should be given a lot of opportunities. If it’s in your mind to give an opener 10 chances, if you are going to play him from Nos. 5 to 7, give him 20 chances. It won’t work out with less than that. His batting doesn’t come half the time,” Chopra observed.

India will next take on Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Friday.