Former Indian Opener Aakash Chopra Stresses on Fair Assessment of Sanju Samson in Third T20I against Afghanistan

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes it would be unfair to judge Sanju Samson based on just one match if he is included in India’s lineup for the third and final T20I against Afghanistan in Bengaluru. Chopra’s comments come as India looks to solidify their T20 World Cup squad, with the dilemma of choosing between Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson for the number six spot. While Jitesh Sharma has shown promise with a quickfire 31 in the first match of the series, his position in the squad is still uncertain. If Samson gets the opportunity to play, Chopra insists that he should be given at least three chances, emphasizing the need for consistency and fairness in player evaluation.

The ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan has seen Jitesh Sharma make his mark with a blistering 31 off 20 deliveries in the first match. Despite a lackluster performance in the second game, Chopra believes that Jitesh deserves another opportunity in the upcoming match. With all-rounder Hardik Pandya absent, Shivam Dube has emerged as a standout player for India and should retain his spot at number four, according to Chopra. Additionally, Chopra suggests considering the inclusion of Tilak Varma and providing opportunities to Rinku Singh in the middle order.

India has already secured a 2-0 lead in the series, making the third T20I a crucial opportunity for further player evaluation ahead of the T20 World Cup. The selectors will closely monitor Samson’s form during the upcoming IPL 2024, where he will once again lead the Rajasthan Royals. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be looking at the performances of potential candidates to finalize the T20 World Cup squad.