Consistency is Overrated: Pujara Defends Sanju Samson's T20 Form
Cheteshwar Pujara defends Sanju Samson's form and discusses the possibility of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi playing in the New Zealand T20I series.
Former Indian cricketer and JioStar expert Cheteshwar Pujara has come out in strong support of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, challenging the common narrative regarding Cheteshwar Pujara Sanju Samson and the need for absolute consistency in the shortest format of the game.
Speaking on JioHotstar's 'Out or Not Out', the veteran batter addressed the concerns often raised about Samson's fluctuating form. Pujara argued that the nature of T20 cricket makes failures inevitable and that the pressure for top-order batters to be consistent every single game is often misplaced.
The 'One Innings' Theory
Pujara believes that Samson is a player who is never truly "out of form," but rather experiences the natural ebbs and flows of the T20 format. According to him, the turnaround for a player of Samson's caliber is incredibly swift.
"The kind of player Sanju Samson has been in the T20 format; his form fluctuates. But it is always a matter of one innings. He plays one good innings, and he is back in form. So, you cannot say that this player is not in form," Pujara stated.
He further emphasized that while consistency is a goal, it is often "overrated" for top-order players in T20s, noting that almost every player in this format faces frequent failures.
Looking Ahead: The New Zealand Challenge
The discussion then shifted to India's upcoming multi-format tour of New Zealand, which marks the first such bilateral tour between the two nations in six years. With the T20I series kicking off on October 22 in Christchurch, speculation has grown regarding the playing XI, specifically the possibility of Samson featuring alongside 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Pujara expressed skepticism about both players featuring in the same XI, citing the specific demands of New Zealand's playing conditions.
The All-Rounder Equation
Pujara pointed out that the conditions in New Zealand typically necessitate a balanced side with a higher number of all-rounders—both spin and seam—which limits the slots available for specialist top-order batters.
- The Conflict: Pujara believes that either Samson or Sooryavanshi could open, but having both in the team would be unlikely.
- The Opportunity: While he doesn't see them playing together, he clarified that Sooryavanshi could still get a chance depending on player fitness and specific match requirements.
"Vaibhav playing every game seems a bit difficult in New Zealand because there you need more all-rounders... I don't think both can be part of the playing XI," he added, though he maintained that the youngster would likely find opportunities during the series.
Recent Form and Context
Samson enters this discussion coming off a productive five-match T20I series against the West Indies, where he emerged as India's second-highest run-scorer. He amassed 168 runs during that series, including two half-centuries. That series ended in a 2-2 draw, setting the stage for the high-stakes tour of New Zealand.