Legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar believes Sanju Samson is dealing with a technical error as he tries to climb out of an extended lean spot with the bat. The former India captain offered advice to Samson ahead of the much-anticipated T20 World Cup match against Pakistan in Colombo on February 15.
Samson scored 22 off eight balls in the rare opportunity he got against Namibia on Thursday. Back at the opening slot after replacing Abhishek Sharma, who missed the match due to a stomach ailment, Samson walked out alongside Ishan Kishan and immediately looked to attack the Namibian bowling attack.
“Sanju Samson has a technical problem. He goes too deep into the crease and plays the dude. You can only hope he bowls it to the gap or it goes for a six,” Gavaskar told JioHotstar after India’s 93-run victory over Namibia.
“He needs to improve, especially when he’s fielding against the new ball. Namibia were smart with their fielding. They pitched specifically to get Samson out. But it was good that he played some nice shots – that must have given him confidence. If he plays the next match against Pakistan, he needs to spend more time in the crease.”
India vs Namibia T20 World Cup Highlights
Samson showed clear intent and hit left-arm pacer Ruben Trumpelmann for a six in the very first over.
He then took on right-arm seamer Ben Shikongo and smashed two successive sixes over the deep fine leg region. He followed it up with sharp cover so it was 6, 6, 4 in the over.
However, on the final delivery of the second over, Samson was caught at deep mid-wicket as he tried to flick a slower ball from Shikongo without fully committing.
In several of these strikes, Samson’s back leg remained rooted in the crease, preventing him from getting into the ideal position to generate maximum power. It’s something that held Samson back even in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand last month, in which he managed 46 runs.
India rode on well-constructed half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya to 209. Although Gerard Erasmus and Bernard Scholtz applied pressure through the middle overs, India finished with a competitive total and defended it comfortably to win two from two.
WILL INDIA PLAY KULDEEP VS PAKISTAN?
Meanwhile, Gavaskar suggested that India’s bowling approach against Namibia hinted at the possibility of fielding another spinner against Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday.
India have played Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy in their first two matches, but Gavaskar believes Kuldeep Yadav could replace Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI.
India did not open the bowling with Jasprit Bumrah against Namibia, instead introducing their leading paceman until the powerplay. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav also bowled two overs to Shivam Dube, ensuring that the Chennai Super Kings all-rounder remains ready for bowling duties if needed.
“Captain Suryakumar Yadav experimented against Namibia in view of the Pakistan match. Hardik, who bowled the first over, suggests that Arshdeep will not play against Pakistan. Varun Chakravarthy bowled only two overs and could have taken five or six wickets if he had completed his full quota. The best thing about Varun is that he takes wickets whenever he bowls, which has two positives. Axar Patel.
“All our bowlers picked up wickets. Arshdeep did not complete his four overs while Shivam Dube bowled two and Hardik completed his quota. This suggests that Kuldeep Yadav could replace Arshdeep against Pakistan. Sri Lankan bowlers assist the spinners and India have a history of playing three spinners. Expect Kuldeep in the XI against Pakistan in
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
February 13, 2026