Former India opener and commentator Aakash Chopra believes Sanju Samson could still be handed a few more chances in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, despite the wicketkeeper-batter’s continued struggles with the bat.

Samson’s lean run, which included a golden duck in the third T20I, has once again put his place in the playing XI under scrutiny, especially after he had only recently reclaimed his spot following Shubman Gill’s absence. With Ishan Kishan making a strong comeback and competition for the wicketkeeper-batter role intensifying, Samson’s position has become one of the major talking points of the series.

Chopra suggested that the team management may persist with Samson for another couple of matches, particularly with Tilak Varma ruled out of the last two T20Is after failing to recover in time. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said the circumstances could work in Samson’s favour.

“Tilak Varma might not be available for these two games, which means he’ll only join the team before the World Cup. That’s actually good news for Sanju Samson because it gives him two more opportunities,” Chopra said. “Now you’ll see both Sanju and Ishan Kishan playing. One of those matches is in Thiruvananthapuram: Sanju’s home ground.”

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Chopra added that Samson deserved the extended run, noting that constant changes to his role had contributed to the pressure he currently faces.

“If we hadn’t pivoted during the Asia Cup and Sanju had continued opening, he wouldn’t have been under this kind of pressure. It’s unfair. When you open, you either become a hero or you fail, but at least there’s clarity. So this is good news for Sanju and his fans. He’s getting two more games,” he added.

However, Chopra was also candid in his assessment of Samson’s struggles, pointing out a recurring pattern in his dismissals.

“No one can complain that Sanju hasn’t been given chances; that’s not true. But the reality is that he’s struggling. You can see it clearly. He’s going deep in the crease and getting beaten by full deliveries. It’s happened in three consecutive innings,” Chopra said. “This has been a pattern with Sanju. When he gets out, he tends to keep getting out cheaply.”

India has already sealed the five-match series with an unassailable 3–0 lead. The fourth T20I will be played in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, January 28, before the series concludes with the fifth match at Samson’s home venue in Thiruvananthapuram.