Star India national cricket team wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has given a fresh statement on losing the starting spot to T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill.
Sanju Samson said that he has played many different roles throughout his career and he is happy to do whatever the Gautam Gambhir-led team management wants from him.
We will be tested in these circumstances- Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson became the permanent opening batsman of the Indian T20I team after Rohit Sharma retired from this format and he gave some extraordinary performances.
However, upon the return of Shubman Gill as vice-captain, Samson was demoted to the middle order, and since then, he has been batting in a new position for the Indian team, where he has played some good innings.
He is currently in Australia for the five-match T20 series against Australia. Speaking to the broadcasters before the first match, Sanju Samson said that he will be tested. He said:
“It definitely feels good to come out of the heat of Kerala and enjoy some cooler weather here in Canberra. I love it. I’m excited and looking forward to today’s game.”
“Yesterday, we just had a meeting and discussed the importance of the upcoming 3 T20 series before the World Cup. It is about focusing on one game at a time and putting ourselves under pressure against Australia. In these conditions, we will be tested. That is what is needed to test ourselves physically and mentally. We are looking forward to it.”
“To be honest, I have played many different roles – Sanju Samson
Talking about his batting position, Sanju Samson said that he is now well prepared for the middle-order role and does not think about losing the opening spot to Gill. He said:
“To be honest, I have played many different roles for many different teams. I have been a part of this team for a long time and have played different roles. I have opened the batting. I have finished matches. Now, I am batting in the middle order. Only the openers are fixed in this team. The rest of the batsmen have to be ready to bat at any time and in any situation. We are well prepared for that.”
“(Things to look out for) are definitely the skill set. Also, the conditions. The weather too. There are a lot of sweaters already between the crowd and the players. (What Samson is looking forward to in Australia) Both (wicketkeeping and batting),” he said.
Also read: ‘Rishabh Pant looks too much…’: Sai Sudarshan’s explosive comment on wicketkeeper’s fitness
India vs Australia first T20 match washed out due to rain
The first T20 match between India and Australia in Canberra was abandoned after 9.4 overs as rain prevented the match from going ahead. This means that the win that India registered against Australia in 2020 is their only T20I win over the Australian team in Canberra.
On December 4, 2020, the Men in Blue registered a T20I win against Australia in Canberra. They defended the score of 161 and won the match by 11 runs. Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who came in as a replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, bowled a sensational spell of 3/25 to clinch the Player of the Match award.
India did not have a good start after being invited to bat first and Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli were out early. However, KL Rahul played a composed inning of 51 runs off 40 balls, while Sanju Samson scored 23 runs.
At 114/6 in the 17th over, India were heading towards a normal score, but Ravindra Jadeja’s explosive innings (44* off just 23 balls) took India to a comfortable score of 161/7.
Chasing the target, Australia had a good start and captain Aaron Finch and Darcy Short added 56 runs. But as soon as Finch became the victim of Chahal on 35 runs, the innings started losing direction. Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell were out cheaply and the chase became difficult. Henriques’ 30 off 20 gave some hope, but T Natarajan (3/30) and Yuzvendra Chahal (3/25) bowled remarkably well to restrict the Australians to 150/7.