Indian wicketkeeper Sanju Samson is regarded as one of the most talented batters in the Indian cricket scene in the T20 format. Known for his flamboyant stroke play and calm demeanor, he has been a part of the T20 lineup for India as a strater. His ability to play attacking cricket, combined with his natural flair, has earned him a loyal fan following
Despite flashes of brilliance, Sanju has struggled to cement his place in the Indian team. His inconsistency with the bat, especially in crucial moments, has been a recurring issue. While his IPL performances have often showcased his talent, including several match-winning innings, he has been unable to replicate the same success at the international level.
In the T20I series against England, Sanju Samson struggled to perform against the high-quality pace attack of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Both bowlers, known for their express pace and sharp accuracy, consistently troubled Samson, exposing his weakness against short-pitched deliveries and quick seam movement.
Despite coming into the series with promise, Samson failed to adapt to the challenging conditions and the relentless pressure applied by England’s bowlers. His inability to build meaningful innings or counterattack highlighted the gap in his technique and temperament when facing world-class opposition.
In the first T20I at Eden Gardens, Sanju Samson managed to score only 9 runs off 22 balls, struggling against the fiery pace and accuracy of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. The duo consistently tested Samson with their lethal deliveries, mixing sharp bouncers and yorkers with deceptive variations, making it difficult for him to find any rhythm at the crease. Though he smashed 22 runs in the over of Atkinson, his slow knock not only disrupted the batting momentum.
In the second match at Chepauk Stadium, the right-handed opener only scored a total of 5 runs in 7 balls. English bowler Jofra Archer delivered a well-directed hard-length delivery towards the leg stump. Sanju Samson tried to hit the ball towards the leg side but found himself short of space and caught off guard by the blistering pace of 148 kmph. His shot didn’t have enough power or distance, and the ball went straight to Carse, who made an easy catch to dismiss him.
