‘The turning point was when Tilak Varma got out’: Sanju Samson explains why India lost 4th T20I against West Indies

Sanju Samson (file photo) Sanju Samson has backed India’s young fast bowlers despite their 24-run defeat to West Indies in the fourth T20I, saying they need more matches and experience to improve. The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman also pointed to Tilak Varma’s dismissal as the key moment that changed the course of the chase.The defeat leveled the five-match series at 2-2 and set up a winner-takes-all decider in Bengaluru on Saturday. West Indies posted 247 for three, powered by Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 50 balls, before Keemo Paul took five wickets to bowl India out for 223 in 19.3 overs.

Tilak Varma’s wicket proved decisive in India’s chase

India started the chase aggressively as Samson smashed 56 off just 23 balls, including six fours and four sixes. The hosts raced to 60 without losing a wicket in four overs, but Keemo Paul dismissed Samson and Ishan Kishan in the fifth over to push the pace.Samson felt that Tilak’s dismissal was the biggest turning point. Tilak scored 43 off 25 balls and built a strong partnership with Reddy before his wicket weakened India’s position.“I think the turning point came when Tilak came on. Like I said, we were going along nicely. Reddy and Tilak were putting the bowlers under pressure and batting really well,” he said as quoted by PTI.Samson also stood by Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma, insisting that one quiet outing should not lead to any doubts about their abilities.“I think Ishan and Abhishek Sharma are two of the best batsmen in the world at the top of the order. You can’t really ask for more from them. One game (without scoring) is fine.”Despite the loss, Samson said India was ready for the series decider and acknowledged West Indies’ strong performances.“We are 2-2 now and it all depends on the Bengaluru game. We are very fired up and want to go there and compete with them. West Indies are playing really good cricket and you have to give them credit for coming to India and dominating two matches,” he added.

Samson backs young pitchers, praises Shai Hope

With Jasprit Bumrah rested, the Indian bowling attack struggled to contain the visitors as Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceded 52 runs each in their four overs. Samson said replacing Bumrah was not easy but expressed confidence in India’s pace options.“He is a once-in-a-generation bowler and we are very lucky to have him. But we also have some really good talent. Arshdeep is doing a great job and the way Prince Yadav has bowled in the last few matches has been very impressive.“We’ve got some really quality talent and the more we play and support them, the more games we give them, the better they’re going to get,” Samson said.He also credited Hope for his controlled batting which helped West Indies post a massive total.“He played really well and we have to respect what he did. He played really good shots of cricket without taking too many risks.”“We have to give him credit for the way he’s batting and we’re definitely working on how to respond to him every game,” he said.Samson explained that Hyderabad’s pitch, which offered good bounce, was suitable for high-scoring matches. He added that teams need to adjust their approach based on the conditions, rather than following the same plan everywhere.“When you’re playing on a high-scoring pitch, you have to go into fifth gear from ball one. But if you’re playing on a surface where the score is around 160-170, like the Lucknow game where there was something in the wicket, your plans change accordingly.“You can’t play the same kind of cricket all the time. You have to judge the conditions, the bounce and the situation,” said Samson.