In a candid analysis, former England captain Kevin Pietersen weighed in on the recent criticism of Indian opener Sanju Samson’s technique against short balls. Despite a couple of low scores in the ongoing series, Pietersen praised Samson’s aggressive approach and expressed his surprise that the talented batter has not been given more consistent opportunities in recent years.
Pietersen’s Take on Samson’s Inconsistency
Samson, who has been opening the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma in the shortest format after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement, has faced scrutiny for his recent performance. In the series opener, Samson posted scores of single digits followed by a 26-run innings, which added fuel to the debate on his inconsistency. His opening partner, Abhishek Sharma, also had an up-and-down series, with a match-winning performance in the first T20I followed by failures in the subsequent games.
Despite Samson’s lack of runs in recent matches, Pietersen remained firm in his belief that the attacking mindset India has adopted under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership doesn’t always guarantee success. He acknowledged that playing an aggressive brand of cricket comes with its risks, especially for openers, but he stressed that Samson’s overall track record justifies his place at the top of the order.
Samson’s Risk-Taking Approach
Pietersen emphasized that batting at the top, especially in the shortest format, requires players to take risks, and sometimes those risks pay off, while other times they don’t. He also noted that Samson’s batting style fits perfectly within this aggressive framework, and although occasional failures are part of the game, Samson often manages to deliver when it matters.
“I just think that on occasions you get stuck and that’s life. You’ve got to take risks at the top of the order. Same as Abhishek Sharma, same as all these batters. They’re taking risks at the top of the order. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but more often than not, Samson comes up with the goods,” Pietersen said during a discussion on Star Sports.
Pietersen Refutes Claims About Samson’s Short Ball Struggles
While Samson has had difficulties with short balls in the ongoing series, Pietersen firmly believes that his technique should not be questioned just yet. He stated that while a sustained struggle against short-pitched deliveries over time could warrant a closer look at Samson’s approach, his past performances suggest that he is a highly capable player.
“If he keeps doing it over the next six weeks or he does it over the next couple of months, then I’d probably have a look at it and start to question his technique. But I think that he’s a fabulous player. I think he plays the short ball extremely well, and I just think he’s a rock solid player,” Pietersen explained.
Why Samson Deserves More Opportunities
Pietersen also shared his surprise that Samson hasn’t had a more consistent role in the Indian team over the years. He praised the batter’s mental toughness and admired his batting technique, expressing his disbelief at the lack of chances for a player of Samson’s caliber.
“I think mentally he’s sound. I really like Sanju Samson as a batter. I actually love him. I was pretty surprised that he hasn’t had more of a consistent role over the last few years,” Pietersen remarked.
Conclusion: Support for Samson’s Aggressive Play
Despite Samson’s recent inconsistency, Pietersen’s endorsement highlights the significance of backing players with an attacking mindset. His criticism of the short ball is based not on Samson’s technique but on the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. Samson’s ability to handle pressure and play an aggressive game suggests that, with more opportunities, he could be a key player for India in the years to come.
