Indian opener Sanju Samson admitted that the outside noise and criticism from former players is difficult to manage after the Men in Blue won the second T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday.

Chasing 160 runs for the win, Samson scored an impressive knock of 57 runs off just 22 balls with the help of seven fours and four maximums. Samson scored eight runs off 10 balls but changed gears to score 49 runs off the next 12 balls.

Samson had managed only 10 runs off eight balls in the opening T20I of the series and there was pressure on him to get the runs.

Samson said in the post-match press conference, “I try to turn my Wi-Fi off. But sometimes the Wi-Fi gets switched on and you see comments, or a senior player says something. I have been mature enough and experienced enough to know how to handle it. Initially, it does hurt. I am not a machine. We are not robots to say that it does not affect us.

“It definitely affects you and you get a bit affected, but then you try to talk to yourself and tell yourself who you are and what you need to do,” the experienced keeper-batter went on to add.

Samson admitted one needs to be very clear about the mindset while playing for the country at the top level.

“Outside noise definitely affects cricketers in India, but you need to be very clear about what your mindset is, how you need to prepare and what mindset you need to play with. If I focused on those things, I could not bat in this manner.”

Samson would have definitely gained a lot of confidence after scoring a crucial knock and he would want to be more consistent.

The third and final T20I between Afghanistan and India will be played at Delhi on Thursday.