India suffered a narrow four-run defeat at the hands of West Indies in the first T20I.
Chasing 150 to win, the Men in Blue managed 145/9 in their allotted 20 overs. While some of the Indian batters got starts, they failed to take the team over the finishing line. Debutant Tilak Varma was the top scorer with 22-ball 39.
Assessing the game on his official YouTube channel, former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal slammed the Indian team management for experimentation without “planning”, referring to how Sanju Samson was used in the batting order.
Samson, who usually bats at No. 3 or 4 for his IPL team Rajasthan Royals, was sent to bat at No. 6 while debutant Tilak Varma batted in the fourth position.
“When they (India) came for chase, I thought the captain, the coach, the management, they were all overconfident. It felt like they thought, 'it's a nothing total'. You have to plan. I didn't see that. I saw experiments, but you need planning with it. You need to plan the player's roles, keeping in mind whether they're making a comeback or already a part of the side,” Kamran said.
“When I talk about Sanju (Samson), does he play in IPL at No.6? He plays in top 4, give him chance there. If (Virat) Kohli and Rohit (Sharma) aren't there, these batsmen should play higher in the order. If you send him at 6, thinking he played aggressively in last ODI so he can do that again. It doesn't happen every time,” he added.
While Kamran Akmal lauded Tilak’s knock in the game, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper insisted that Samson should've been given the chance at his natural spot.
“Yes, Tilak (Varma) made debut, played against Alzarri Joseph really well. But it's Sanju right to bat in that role. Once you win the series, you can hand debuts. You're sending someone who is making his debut before a player who's already part of the team,” said the former wicketkeeper-batter.
The second T20I of the five-match series between India and West Indies will be held at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Sunday (August 6).