IND vs AFG 2024: Incorrect to judge Sanju Samson on just one match, says Aakash Chopra ahead of Bengaluru clash

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes it will not be fair to judge Sanju Samson on just one match. Samson didn’t play in the first two matches against Afghanistan in the ongoing T20I series as Jitesh Sharma was preferred ahead of him.

Samson can get his chance in the third game but the reputed commentator feels it will not to right to judge his performance. The Kerala batter has scored 510 runs in 14 ODI matches at an average of 56.67 and a strike rate of 99.61 and recently scored a fine century against South Africa.

But Samson has scored only 374 runs in 24 T20I matches at an average of 19.68 and thus he has failed to grab his chance in the shortest format.

“The question is whether you should keep Jitesh or Sanju at No. 6. If Jitesh had cemented his place totally, if there hadn’t been a question mark at all in front of Jitesh’s name, that he is definitely going to the World Cup, you could have thought about Sanju. However, Jitesh is not confirmed yet,” said Chopra on his YouTube Channel.

“There is a flip side to that as well. Assuming you play Sanju, will you judge him with one match? It’s incorrect. Whoever you try, give him three chances at least. This is what has happened with Sanju throughout his career,” Chopra added.

Samson has also played some breathtaking knocks in the IPL and he has delivered the goods while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the tournament. The flamboyant batter has scored 3888 runs in 152 IPL matches at an average of 29.23 and a blistering strike rate of 137.19.

Samson will look to grab his chance with both hands and will look to get the job done if he gets his opportunity. The third and last T20I of the series between India and Afghanistan will be played at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday.