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Former India's star batter Robin Uthappa has demanded for longer rope for Sanju Samson in the build-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup. He suggests Samson should be given adequate exposure to the no.6 spot, especially if Team India views him as a finisher in T20Is.
During the first match of a five-game T20I series against the West Indies on Thursday on August 4 (Thursday), Sanju Samson, usually seen in higher-order batting positions in the IPL, was assigned the No. 6 spot in India's 150-run pursuit. Despite an initial struggle to acclimate to the pitch, with India at a precarious 77/4 after losing newcomer Tilak Varma, Samson gradually found his rhythm. Alongside captain Hardik Pandya, Samson carefully manoeuvred the ball to keep India's chances alive, considering the team's extended tail. Their prudent 36-run partnership swayed the game towards India.
Despite reducing the target to 36 from 30 balls, the match slipped away when both Pandya and Samson were dismissed in the same over. Samson, who was starting to pick up momentum with a massive six, was run-out following a quick single instigated by Axar Patel.
Uthappa bats for Samson
Discussing Samson's role in the team, Uthappa told Jio Cinema, “I am hopeful… considering the team management has decided to play Sanju Samson at No. 6 in T20I cricket, then it's important he gets a longer rope. If you are going to go into the World Cup with Sanju Samson playing a finisher's role, then it's important he understands the position well. The more he plays in that position, he would be able to understand it better.”
Uthappa's piece of advice to Samson
Uthappa also gave a piece of advice to Samson, indicating that the dynamic player might not always have the chance to bat in the top order in T20Is. Instead, he should seize the IPL 2024 season to familiarize himself with the No. 6 position. With at least 300 runs to his credit in each of his previous six IPL seasons, and having played at No. 4 in 8 of the 18 T20Is he's played so far, Uthappa suggests, “When Sanju Samson plays for the Rajasthan Royals, there also he can play half the season at the top order and the remaining half at No. 6. So that he can build familiarity. When he plays for India, it's not a given that he would get the NO. 3 spot. Suryakumar Yadav might take the spot or Virat Kohli might play at No. 3. So he needs to be prepared for both positions".
In addition to his prospects in T20I, Samson appears to be in the running for a spot in the ODI World Cup squad. The wicketkeeper-batter recently showcased his skills with a swift fifty in the final ODI against West Indies in Tarouba which India won.
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