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The recent five-match T20I series with England turned into a nightmare for Sanju Samson who mustered just 51 runs from five innings.
Sanju Samson reportedly fractured his finger during the 5th T20I. (BCCI Photo)
26,5,3,1,16 – this series of scores that Sanju Samson managed during the recent England T20Is has come right after the top-order batter scored an unbeaten century which was the third of his such scores in five innings last year spread across India and South Africa.
Should that be a concern?
Well, it’s not just the low scores that Samson should be bothered about but the manner in which he was dismissed on a consistent basis by the England pacers. He seems to struggle against express pace and short deliveries which was quite evident during the England series which India won 4-1.
India great Ravichandran Ashwin says the manner of dismissals could harm Samson’s confidence and sow seeds of doubts in his mind.
“…if Sanju keeps getting dismissed like this, as a batter, the mind will be playing tricks,” Ashwin, who played in IPL alongside Samson for Rajasthan Royals, said on his YouTube channel. “(It will force you to think) the bowler is bowling a certain way and I am getting dismissed like this, is the bowler bowling well or do I have a shortcoming? Will I be able to adapt? Once so many questions arise then it becomes difficult.”
Ashwin, who retired from international cricket last year, cited the example of Sachin Tendulkar’s advice from the recent BCCI Naman Awards that players must practice enough that it becomes part of their subconscious mind.
“Sachin Tendulkar also said during the (BCCI) awards function that (you must) do so many repetitions that you allow the subconscious mind to take over,” he said. “But if so much confusion comes over on the subconscious mind, then batting becomes a different ball game altogether.”
“As an experienced cricketer I will not focus on someone failing in T20 cricket but on how is he getting out, what is his decision making is like, I will focus on that. They are good enough players to find solutions and they will think over it,” he added.
Ashwin feels that players are bound to fail in T20s and it’s not about consistency, but the format does test a players’ ability on how to handle pressure.
“T20 cricket is (all) about failures, you are bound to fail. You will not be able to play percentage cricket. As per this, I will think (about) the player who can handle pressure and can deliver wins,” he said.
“Those players can be given long rope because T20 cricket is not about consistency, it’s about excitement, putting fear in the opposition…when you know you are being attacked in a certain way, there should be a different approach to that ball or just avoid it and force the bowler to bowl at your strengths,” he added.
