Samson was dismissed for just 3 runs in the Indore T20I against the West Indies.
Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer defended Sanju Samson after his low score in the third T20I against the West Indies in Indore, explaining that consistency is inherently harder to maintain in the shortest format than in ODIs or Tests.
Samson scored just 3 runs off 6 balls before being dismissed after mistiming a shot. On the other hand, his opening partner Abhishek Sharma played a blistering knock of 69 in just 30 balls.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Jaffer analyzed India's explosive approach to modern T20I cricket, praising the structural blueprint that Samson and Abhishek provide at the top of the order.
Jaffer refused to read too much into Samson’s string of low scores, citing that the wicketkeeper-batter can win matches for the team when he gets going.
“It is difficult to score runs consistently in this format, unlike in ODI cricket or Test matches, because it is such a high-risk game. You have to play so many shots, so maintaining consistency is very difficult. Sanju Samson understands this very well. Yesterday, he actually mistimed a shot, which led to his dismissal. But Sanju Samson is a class player,” Jaffer said.
“The reason India's T20I team looks so strong is that Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma play a huge role in it. They provide the platform from which we can eventually post totals of 220, 240 or even 250 runs. I feel Sanju Samson understands this, but we must also understand that maintaining consistency is very difficult. However, when he gets going, he can win matches for you,” he added.
Jaffer also commented on Abhishek’s uncharacteristic cautious approach in the third T20I. Facing a tactical matchup early on from West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase, the southpaw showed newfound patience by playing out a quiet first over before aggressively shifting gears to notch up his half-century in 18 balls.
“There has been a big change in him. Earlier, there was some immaturity, which was understandable because he was new to the team. But now, it seems he has understood how to play in T20 cricket. When Abhishek plays in the powerplay, it feels like India can reach 80-90 runs and, on several occasions, even 100. And with Abhishek being a left-hander, we often talk about how well he plays spin. Even yesterday, you could see the way he attacked the spinners,” he remarked.