Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson once again failed to deliver, departing for 24 off 15 balls in India’s fourth T20I against New Zealand on Wednesday. Samson looked set early but was undone by Mitchell Santner, continuing a worrying run of form that has seen him score just 40 runs across his last four innings. With Ishan Kishan performing consistently at No. 3, Samson’s spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad is now under scrutiny.
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Legendary former India captain Sunil Gavaskar did not hold back in his commentary, criticising Samson’s technique. “My first impression is that there was no footwork at all. He was just standing there, making room and playing through the offside,” Gavaskar said. “There was hardly any movement of the feet. Going outside leg-stump, exposing all three stumps and when you miss, the bowler’s going to hit. That’s what happened to Samson, for the second time around.”
New Zealand posted a formidable 215 for seven after electing to bat, thanks to a blistering 62 off 36 balls from Tim Seifert and a quickfire 44 off 23 from Devon Conway, who put on 100 runs in just 8.2 overs. India fought back in the middle overs, with Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav picking up two wickets each, but Daryl Mitchell’s late assault of 39 off 18 balls propelled the Kiwis to a 50-run victory.
Despite a fiery 65 off 23 balls from Shivam Dube and a 30-ball 39 from Rinku Singh, India were bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs. Mitchell Santner led New Zealand’s bowling effort with 3/26 in four overs.
