Sanju Samson has expressed his commitment to providing a strong start for India as an opener. Despite facing a series of low scores, he insists there is no room for altering his playing style.
In the second T20 International against the at JSCA International Stadium on Friday, Samson delivered a stunning performance, scoring 82 runs off 41 balls. His innings included nine fours and four sixes, helping the Indian team set a formidable total of 249 runs for the loss of five wickets.
After his innings, Samson stated, “As a professional cricketer representing India, you certainly keep the professional aspect in mind. You prepare, practice, and do everything within your control. However, to be honest, we all know that in this format, the outcome is not always in your hands. But there’s only one way to move forward.”
He further added, “You can’t say that just because I’ve had three poor innings, I should take a step back and reconsider. No, the only way is to keep moving forward. I believe the team comes first. My job is to give my country a great start, and I strive to do that. Even when I get out, I take responsibility, so it’s perfectly fine. I don’t blame anyone else for not scoring runs. It’s my job, and whenever I step onto the field, I try to fulfill that.”
Samson’s innings laid the groundwork for India’s impressive score. Ishan Kishan also contributed significantly with 43 runs off 22 balls before being bowled by Royston Chase. The off-spinner dismissed Shivam Dube for just seven runs, while Shamar Springer ended Samson’s innings. Following this, accelerated the score with a quick 40 runs off 18 balls, and Tilak Varma remained unbeaten with 44 runs off just 18 balls. Their aggressive partnership helped India recover from a brief middle-order slump and reach a strong total.