Indian battter Hanuma Vihari questioned Sanju Samson after batter’s another failure in the first T20I against the West Indies at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Tuesday. Samson scored just 11 runs off nine balls as India chased down 172 in 14.4 overs to win the game by eight wickets.
The wicketkeeper-batter has now struggled in four consecutive matches, including the one-off T20I against Japan and two games at the Asian Games. He could only manage nine runs in two matches of the Asian Games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Vihari said Samson appears to be under pressure because of the competition for his place in the Indian team.
“The biggest question is another failure for Samson. How long a rope can he get? I am a big fan, and I would like for him to play. But I think he is feeling insecure. He has also said before that where there is pressure of competition behind him, he cannot perform. That’s why, if you remember, when Ishan made a comeback in the New Zealand series before the World Cup, Samson did not perform. And now, Vaibhav is behind him. He must be feeling that pressure,” Vaibhav Sooryavanshi said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Vihari said pressure plays a big part and Samson would be feeling the same as he hasn’t been able to perform consistently.
“Pressure plays a big part. Most people do not understand. Those who have played know it, but those who have not don’t get it. That’s why in cricket, especially when playing for India, you need to be able to handle pressure. Samson will be feeling that pressure, and for that matter, anyone would in his place.”
Meanwhile, India was left reeling at 35-2 after Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were dismissed cheaply in the run-chase of 172. However, Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer was able to steady the ship as he scored a brilliant century and Vihari praised him for his crucial knock.
“Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson got out soon and they were struggling a bit at one point. Shreyas came in that time and took some time initially. He was scoring at will. Hitting sixes. Yes it was a bit easy with dew. But still, he was too good,” he said.
The second T20I between India and the West Indies will be played at Ranchi on Friday.
