Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has urged management to back Sanju Samson amid poor form in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. Pressure is rising on Samson as Ishan Kishan has grabbed his chance with both hands while batting at number three. Kishan has returned with scores of 8, 76 and 28 against the Kiwis.

On the other hand, Samson has managed 10, 6, and 0 in the first three games against the Blackcaps. Samson has been a bit inconsistent and would want to turn a corner ahead of the World Cup.

Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “I am telling you, there might be discussions going on in the group or the camp, like he’s not scoring, should we drop him, all these things come to mind. But right now, you have to stand with him. Sanju Samson has scored three centuries. It’s not that he hasn’t proven himself. He is a proven player and he can play.”

Kaif highlighted that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was also able to bounce back to form in the last two games as he returned with scores of 82 and 57. 

“Look at Suryakumar Yadav. He was captain, out of form, but he had confidence in his game. He always used to say that I am not out of form. I am playing well, I am in touch, I am just out of runs. He always said this. Why did he say this? Because he had faith in his game. He knew that even if he gets one or two innings, he will get back on track. No batter reaches the number one ranking in ICC without proving themselves like that. He showed his skill and everyone respected him, praised him, saying what a player he is. The team kept giving him chances, even when he was out of form, and he made a comeback, scored, and got back into rhythm. The same thing will happen with Sanju Samson. I am telling you now,” he added.

The former UP batter urged the selectors and the team’s think tank to at least give two more chances to Sanju Samson against the Kiwis.

“Even though Ishan Kishan is back, people are saying, let’s give him the chance, drop Sanju Samson, and bring Ishan. All these things are happening, but I think at least give him two more matches before making a final decision. After that, you can do whatever you want. Sanju is a very classy player, and he needs support right now. Every player cannot score all the time, so he should get support at this stage.”

“I feel he deserves the opportunity. He hasn’t gotten a consistent chance, sometimes he played, sometimes he was dropped. When a batsman doesn’t get regular batting opportunities, he can get a little nervous. Give him these two games and if he remains out of form, he himself would probably say, don’t play me. I think at least give him five consecutive innings. You are already winning, you have won three matches, there is no pressure,” he added.

The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.