Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra highlighted Sanju Samson’s dismal numbers in T20 Internationals that don’t force the Indian selectors to select him in the squad. The wicket-keeper batter failed to make an impact in the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies, which India lost 3-2.
In three innings, Sanju Samson managed just 32 runs at an average of 10.67. His overall performance in T20Is has been very underwhelming. He has played 22 T20I matches, scoring just 333 runs at an average of 18.5, with a highest score of 77 runs. Aakash Chopra expressed that Samson’s performance is not flattering for the selectors to pick him in the team.
In a video shared on his Youtube channel, the former cricketer said,
“He has played 22 T20Is, scored 333 runs at an average of 18, one half-century, best is 77 – not really good numbers. You should never mix T20I numbers with the IPL numbers because you get the wrong picture. I have taken out his IPL numbers, just to get an understanding of what he has been doing in T20s,”Â
“In IPL 2023, he scored three half-centuries, had a good strike rate of 153 and an average of 30, which is actually not bad. If we see the previous year, scored 458 runs at an average of 28 with two half-centuries, which is a middling kind of season. T20 numbers are not flattering at all,” he added.
Sanju Samson’s ODI numbers look good, but the sample size is slightly small: Akash Chopra
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra further also analysed Sanju Samson’s ODI performance. He expressed that the numbers look good, but it is a small sample size to judge the batter. In 13 ODI matches, Sanju has scored 390 runs at a staggering average of 55.71 and a strike rate of 104, including three fifties.
“ODI stats are actually very good. He has played only 13 matches, hasn’t played them at a stretch and has batted up and down the order, scored 390 runs and in that he has scored three half-centuries, the strike rate is 104 and the average is 55. ODI numbers are looking good but the sample size is slightly small,” said Aakash Chopra.
Aakash Chopra shared that Sanju Samson has the potential, and makes batting look easy. However, he added, that the wicket-keeper batter’s numbers do not force the selectors to pick. He also shared that the batter has himself to blame for his underwhelming performance.
“Why does everyone want Sanju Samson to be played? Not that the numbers are forcing you to play him. Sanju’s story is about potential. Sanju’s story is about just aesthetics. When he plays well, it seems like no one plays better than him.”
Sanju Samson has been included in the Jasprit Bumrah-led Indian squad for the upcoming tour of Ireland. India is all set to play three T20Is against Ireland, starting from August 8 in Dublin.
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