New Delhi: Sanju Samson has put extra focus in training to face the bouncers of England’s pacers before India’s third T20I match in Rajkot on Tuesday.
The aggressive top-order batter has fallen to short balls in the first two matches in Kolkata and Chennai of the ongoing five-game series against England, on both occasions, getting dismissed by Jofra Archer.
Samson has taken note of that and is determined to let in be his weakness as England would surely look to exploit in in the upcoming matches through Archer and Mark Wood.
With the help of India’s new batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and the team’s throwdown specialists, he spent time in the nets at the Saurashtra Cricket Academy to iron out his deficiency.
The right hander batter for round 45 minutes on a pitch made of cement he attempted to pull and hook the plastic balls that were hurled towards him. Kotak could be seen frequently interacting with Samson throughout the session, where he also tried the ramp and cut shots.
Despite India winning the first two matches, England had troubled their opening duo of Samson and Abhishek Sharma through their pace and bounce.
Samson seemed mindful of fit as after an extensive session in the nets, he batted for additional 30 minutes with a particular focus on the climbing ball.
In South Africa, the keeper-batter struck two centuries in four T20I games after a hundred against Bangladesh last year. But still it hasn’t earned him a spot in the ODI Champions Trophy squad.
‘Selfless Surya’
Under skipper Suryakumar Yadav, India have excelled in the shortest format since he took over after the T20 World Cup triumph last year.
But his batting form has dipped since then, though Kotak is not unduly worried about it and backed Yadav to return to his usual form in Rajkot.
“Surya has been performing. But sometimes I feel we also expect a lot. Like every game if we think Surya (will perform). The T20 game has become so aggressive, that there will be times when batters will get out because they are playing fearless, they are playing selfless,” he said.
“Because if you want to score 200, 225 and if you are careful and trying to save your wickets, both things won’t go hand in hand. So, he is definitely a person who is playing for the team.
“He is very selfless and that is what he is telling the whole group of batters that we have to be selfless.”
Sanju Samson has fallen to short balls in the first two T20I matches, on both occasions, getting dismissed by Jofra Archer. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
