Sanju Samson’s recent batting performances have been a tale of two extremes. After a remarkable run of form with consecutive hundreds, the Indian batter has unexpectedly found himself on the opposite end of the spectrum, recording back-to-back ducks.
The shift in performance has taken fans by surprise, as Samson was previously celebrated for his consistent and impactful scoring. During the second match of the series at Gqeberha, Samson’s stumps were rattled by fast bowler Marco Jansen. The wicketkeeper-batsman struggled against the left-arm quick Jansen, who dismissed him in a similar fashion during the third encounter on Wednesday.
In contrast, Samson’s performance in the first game of the series in Durban was nothing short of explosive. He delivered an impressive 107 off just 50 balls, striking at an impressive rate of 214.00. His innings featured seven fours and ten towering sixes.
Prior to this, Samson had scored his maiden T20I century against Bangladesh in the third and final match in Hyderabad last month. In the process, Samson, who got to his hundred in 40 balls, also surpassed skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who did it in 45 balls, to become the second fastest Indian to get to the landmark.
Samson’s recent struggles have raised questions about his consistency and ability to handle pressure. However, the wicketkeeper-batter remains confident in his abilities. “I feel honestly, I have faced a lot of failures in my career. Actually, I have had more failures than success in my career. When you go through that fear, you tend to doubt yourself a lot. People will say a lot and social media will play its role. But you also think a lot about yourself…,” Samson said.
The wicketkeeper-batter added that he has shot-making ability against spin and pace. “But with my experience, I know my abilities. If I spend some time on the wicket, I have the shot-making ability against spin and pace. I know I can help the team with my contributions. So I always used to tell myself that, even if you have lows, the upside is also good,” he added.
It remains to be seen whether Samson can regain his form and help India secure a series victory against South Africa. However, his recent struggles serve as a reminder that even the most talented players can experience setbacks.
