Legendary spinner Anil Kumble has raised concerns about Sanju Samson’s consistency ahead of India’s upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Samson, a wicketkeeper-batter, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but his ability to deliver consistently has been a question mark.
Samson made his T20I debut in 2015 and has since played 33 matches, scoring 594 runs at a strike rate of 144.52. He has one century and two half-centuries to his name. However, his performances have been sporadic, with some impressive innings followed by periods of poor form.
In the recent third T20I against Bangladesh, Samson showcased his batting prowess with a stunning 111 runs off just 47 deliveries. This performance has given him a boost of confidence, according to Kumble.
“There’s been a lot of talk about keeping Sanju Samson in the team long-term, and that century he scored will certainly have given him a lot of confidence. We know the ability of Sanju Samson; he is a class act,” Kumble said.
However, Kumble believes that Samson needs to improve his consistency to become a regular member of the Indian team. He suggests that Samson should be given opportunities to bat in the top order, where he can make the most of his strong backfoot play and ability to handle fast bowlers and spinners.
“Consistency is a bit lacking, and I’m sure the Indian selectors are mindful of that. Placing him at the top of the innings, either at number one, two, or three, is where I believe he can truly add value to this team,” Kumble added.
India and South Africa will play a four-match T20I series starting on November 8 in Durban. The series will provide Samson with an opportunity to prove his worth and cement his place in the Indian team.
