Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has advised wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to avoid playing the pull shot against England pacer Jofra Archer in the remaining two T20Is of the five-match series.
With India leading 2-1, the last two games in Pune (January 31) and Mumbai (February 2) will be crucial, especially for key batters like Samson and Suryakumar Yadav, who have struggled so far.
Rayudu shared his insights during a discussion on Star Sports’ Match Point, highlighting the specific challenges both players have faced. He pointed out that Samson’s dismissals against Archer have been due to a technical flaw rather than a mindset issue.
“Sanju Samson doesn’t need to get out like that. Survive one spell and then you can hit the other bowlers,” Rayudu said, emphasizing that Samson should look to play out Archer’s spell rather than taking unnecessary risks.
Sanju Samson has been dismissed by Archer in all three games of the series so far. His overall tally stands at 34 runs at an average of 11.33, including a promising 26 off 20 balls in the first match, but he failed in the next two games, scoring just five and three. Rayudu explained that Samson’s struggle comes from making room while attempting the pull shot, which restricts his ability to open up his arms.
“It’s just a technical flaw because he is trying to make room. When you make room and your back leg goes towards the leg stump, your arms don’t open up when you try to play the pull,” Rayudu observed. He suggested that instead of making room, Samson should get inside the line of the delivery and use the pace of the ball more effectively.
While Samson’s battle against Archer has been a key talking point, Suryakumar Yadav’s form has also raised concerns. The star batter has managed only 26 runs in three innings at an average of 8.67, falling twice while attempting scoop shots and once dragging a delivery onto his stumps.
Rayudu, however, dismissed major worries about Suryakumar’s form, suggesting that the batter needs to focus on basics and spend time at the crease before attempting big shots.
“Everyone is coming with a plan against Surya that they won’t give him pace because he plays good shots against pace. So Surya will have to take a little time. If he concentrates a little on the basics and spends some time, automatically all the shots will come,” Rayudu explained.
With two crucial matches left in the series, both Samson and Suryakumar will be keen to turn things around. Their performances could play a significant role in India securing a series win against England ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.
