Former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock suggested that India should avoid the urge to recall wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for the third T20I against South Africa. India endured a heavy 51-run loss in the second game at New Chandigarh, bringing the five-match series to a 1-1 deadlock.
Shubman Gill’s poor run in T20Is continued, as he was dismissed for a golden duck after managing just four runs off two balls in the opening match. It is worth noting that Gill has taken over Samson’s role as the opener since the Asia Cup a few months ago. Although Samson featured in the middle order for a few games, Jitesh Sharma has taken over wicketkeeping duties in India’s last five matches.
While discussing if India should consider recalling Samson for the third T20I, Pollock remarked on Cricbuzz:
“I don’t think they’ll do it now as it’ll be making too much of a statement. They didn’t change when they won, so they’ve to do the same thing when you lose. One more game and maybe they’ll look to change after that.”
The former skipper backed Harshit Rana to replace Arshdeep, noting:
“Maybe Harshit Rana gets a run. Arshdeep played a lot of the ODIs, so Harshit might get a place in place of him. But the ball does move well, and I’ve seen Arshdeep bowl some good spells there, so that also might be a surprise if it happens.”
“Maybe Surya Should Move Down The Order”- Pollock
Shaun Pollock shared his thoughts on captain Suryakumar Yadav’s prolonged slump in T20Is, recommending that he might benefit from dropping lower in the batting order to rediscover his rhythm. The 35-year-old was dismissed for just five in the second T20I against South Africa, extending his run to 17 innings this year without a fifty.
“Sometimes it’s just a break you need too. Or maybe Surya needs to shift down the order and play a different role for a while. Promote Tilak Varma to No. 3, and someone else can come at No. 4, maybe even come at 5 just before Hardik. Just to give himself a chance to find his touch,” said Pollock (via the aforementioned source).
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