WI vs IND 2023: Don’t drop Sanju Samson, keep him in the team – Aakash Chopra wants India to back right-hander

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra wants the team to put their weight behind Sanju Samson for the third ODI against the West Indies. Samson was included in the second game against the Windies but the Kerala batter could not grab his chance as he was dismissed after scoring only nine runs.

Samson has shown all the skills in his repertoire but he hasn’t been consistent enough. In fact, the right-hander has a decent ODI record as he has scored 339 runs in 12 matches at an average of 56.5.

But, with skipper Rohit Sharma and veteran batter Virat Kohli all set to come back in the final ODI, Samson’s place could be under scrutiny. However, Chopra wants to give a longer rope to the Rajasthan Royals skipper.

“Ishan Kishan as an opener – tick mark, but Ishan Kishan as a middle order – we don’t know. Sanju Samson has got one knock at No. 3, so don’t drop him now, keep him in the team,” Chopra said while previewing the third ODI in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav has also failed to grab his chance in the ODI format. Yadav has scored 476 runs in 25 ODI matches a below-par average of 23.8. The right-hander from Mumbai has returned with scores of 19 and 24 runs in the first two games of the ODI series. The reputed commentator feels the third game is going to be crucial for SKY to make a mark for himself.

“I think this will be a very important game for Suryakumar Yadav. He is going to remain in our thoughts because he plays T20s too and plays very well but if he doesn’t score runs in ODIs here as well, you will see a slight problem brewing.”

Furthermore, Hardik Pandya has also failed to deliver in the first two ODIs with the bat and Chopra reckons the all-rounder’s experience is important for players like Sanju Samson. Pandya has managed only 12 runs in the two matches.

“Hardik Pandya needs to score runs. Hardik Pandya’s bowling is essential in any case but he scoring runs is even more essential. Why do you have a combination of seniors and juniors in a team? Assuming you are playing with Sanju, not that Sanju is a spring chicken, but Sanju does not have that much experience, so it is important for Sanju that Hardik Pandya stands with him. If Hardik gets out, there is more pressure on Sanju. That is why Hardik is very important in my opinion,” Chopra added.

The third and final ODI of the series will be played at Trinidad on Tuesday.