Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has come out in support of Sanju Samson following India's second T20I defeat against England, emphasizing the need for patience with the talented wicketkeeper-batter. India lost the match by 49 runs in Birmingham, with Samson contributing 15 runs off 12 balls before being dismissed.
Kaif's defense of Samson
Speaking on a cricket show, Kaif argued that Samson should not be judged harshly for a single failure, noting that he has shown promise in previous outings. "Sanju Samson is a player with immense talent. One low score does not define his capabilities. We need to back him and give him a consistent run in the lineup," Kaif said.
Samson, who has been in and out of the Indian T20I side, managed only 15 runs in the second match after scoring 23 in the first T20I. His dismissal, caught off a short ball from Chris Jordan, drew criticism from some quarters, but Kaif believes the shot selection was not entirely flawed.
India's batting collapse
India's batting lineup struggled in the chase of 171, managing only 121/8 in 20 overs. Only Suryakumar Yadav (38) and Ravindra Jadeja (27) offered resistance. Kaif pointed out that the entire batting unit failed, not just Samson.
"When the team scores only 121, you can't single out one player. The top order collapsed, and we didn't put up a fight. It's a collective failure," Kaif added.
Series situation
With the loss, India now trails 2-0 in the three-match series. The final T20I is scheduled for July 9 in Nottingham. Kaif urged the team management to stick with Samson for the remaining matches to give him confidence.
"If you drop him after two games, it sends the wrong message. He needs to know that the team believes in him. That's how you build a player," Kaif concluded.
