Sat Oct 12 14:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Samson’s Silk Touch Fails to Impress Chopra Despite Gambhir’s Backing
**New Delhi, India:** Sanju Samson, a crowd favorite in Indian cricket, was given a rare chance to open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma in the first T20I against Bangladesh on Sunday. While Samson looked in good form, scoring 29 runs off 19 balls before being dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, former cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed disappointment with his performance.
Chopra, known for his sharp commentary, recalled a statement made by India’s new head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has consistently lauded Samson’s potential. Gambhir, known for his unwavering belief in Samson, likely played a role in his selection as opener for the first T20I. However, Chopra feels Samson needs to step up his game and deliver more substantial scores to secure his place in the team.
“He’s good, he scored 29 runs. My only thing is that since he had reached here, he should go slightly further ahead. He should score a few more runs because otherwise, they would drop him,” said Chopra in a YouTube video. He criticized Samson’s approach, highlighting his reluctance to go for big shots despite the team needing quick runs. “He was hitting one four after another. He was caressing the ball,” said Chopra, comparing his approach to someone “bleeding but not feeling the pain.”
Samson’s inconsistency and frequent shuffles in the batting order have raised concerns about his future in the Indian team. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping down from T20Is, this presents a golden opportunity for Samson to cement his place in the team, particularly in the top order where he has shown his best form.
Chopra’s comments are a clear warning for Samson: He needs to capitalize on the opportunities provided to him, especially with Gambhir’s faith in him, or risk losing his spot in the team.
First Piper 