Sanju Samson has played South Africa four times in the shortest format prior to showing up for the Ahmedabad T20I. He had scored a century against them each time he failed to get out on a duck. A love romance of redemption’s plot arc promised a sequel. However, the most beloved twisted storyline may not always be as predictable as the story of live sports.
As early as the fourth over on Friday, when Samson lofted Ottneil Baartman through the line on the up for a boundary, there were indications of a good knock. He was now at 16 off 8 balls after his innings’ third boundary. Something extraordinary was emerging from a rough start.
On Friday, Samson managed to secure a spot in the team at the cost of Shubman Gill, the player assigned to the starting position, where Samson appeared to have performed well enough to earn the spot. Gill went out of the series after hurting his foot while hitting in the nets prior to the last game. But fog prevented any play, therefore Samson was unable to bat in Lucknow.
It was clear that he needed to make the most of this one chance as he headed to Ahmedabad, his first and final chance of the series. He was not, however, venturing into uncharted territory. Over the course of his more than ten-year international career, Samson has mostly benefited from these fleeting opportunities. For the wicketkeeper-batter in international cricket, it has been all too common to make that one opportunity matter without any guarantee of the next.
Since Suryakumar Yadav became captain in July 2024, he has played in 27 of his 52 Twenty20 Internationals, which is his most consistent run. He had to make room for Gill at the top of the order and, in this series, for Jitesh Sharma in the finisher’s role, even though he scored three hundreds and found his groove in international cricket during that time.
There has never been a better moment for Samson to take a vacation in this series. In addition to Gill’s lack of runs, India’s problems at the top of the order, where he promised to provide an alternative, have been exacerbated by Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form.
Because of Abhishek’s explosive form, India’s final outcome has not been affected by the captain and vice captain’s poor performance. The attention is focused on one major issue, though, as there aren’t many weak points on this team. Samson is expected to offer the in-form southpaw, who has been carrying the majority of the run-scoring load in the PowerPlay, help and a solution.
Samson didn’t hold back on Friday, even though he was defeated and had leading edges early in his innings. He picked up where he had left off. In the second over, he started off with a simple pick-up shot for a six over long-on.
After that, crisp boundaries began to flow naturally. He hit a six over mid-wicket after crunching a boundary down the ground. He didn’t have any safety nets and was at ease taking chances. He was delighted to take on the fielders positioned in the deep when the ball entered his slot. He was even in danger of being caught by a leading edge. But he didn’t change his gears. He not only outscored Abhishek during his innings, but he also outpaced India’s top T20 batsman right now—a unusual occurrence.
Samson appeared to be well-positioned for a big knock until a delivery from George Linde pitched in the middle and held its line to knock over the stumps and suddenly end his stay. Samson ended his ambitious innings at a difficult moment.
For the team management, the Samson-Gill dilemma would have been resolved if Samson had been fired early in Ahmedabad. Conversely, a lengthy innings would have increased the headache and strengthened Samson’s argument that he couldn’t be dropped. But what are they left with after a 22-ball 37?
Although Samson’s innings hasn’t hurt him, it probably hasn’t done enough to strengthen his case either. He has contributed in the IPL far too frequently in this manner, which may have impeded his advancement to the national level.
Unfortunately, Gill hasn’t yet shown the kind of form that would support the club management’s choice to start Samson instead of him. Additionally, Jitesh was not given enough chances to excel in his position.
How alluring is it to bring Samson back at a time when India’s top order is overburdened with two underperforming players? Samson gave the Indian selectors a bit of a worry with his innings on Friday, but has he done enough to put a solution in front of them? Or did he waste that chance?
Even though Surya had yet another bad performance, this time on a flat track, the cogs are currently operating flawlessly to guarantee that the wheel is turning smoothly. However, there is currently one issue that needs to be addressed: how long can the Indian team avoid making the necessary corrections?
With just five Twenty20 Internationals remaining before India enters the World Cup, the answers might be forthcoming. Samson has reminded everyone that he may be the solution to what appears to be the India cricket team’s biggest issue going into the mega-tournament.
