Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Pujara Backs Samson to Keep His Place in India’s T20I XI
Cheteshwar Pujara thinks Sanju Samson should stay in India’s team even though he has had some low scores.
Samson made 11 runs in the first T20I against West Indies.
Pujara said players sometimes have a few difficult games.
He thinks the team should encourage Samson and let him play his usual way.
Pujara also said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can get a chance later.
India won the first match by eight wickets and leads the five-match series 1-0.
Pujara also said Abhishek Sharma had one difficult outing against spin bowling.
He expects Abhishek to learn from it and play better in the next match.
Cheteshwar Pujara said Sanju Samson’s place in India’s playing eleven should not be questioned after a few low scores.
Samson scored 11 in the first T20I against West Indies, after recent Asian Games scores of 9, 7 and 2.
Pujara said the team should reassure Samson and give him time to play his natural game.
He said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would get an opportunity at the right time, but warned against making too many changes.
Pujara said Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal against Roston Chase was an off day and predicted he would respond in the second T20I.
- Who
- Cheteshwar Pujara commented on Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma ahead of India’s second T20I against West Indies.
- What
- Pujara backed Samson’s place in the playing eleven and said Abhishek should not be judged too harshly after one dismissal.
- When
- Ahead of the second T20I in the five-match series.
- Where
- The second T20I was to be played in Ranchi; the first was played in Lucknow.
- Why
- Samson had scored 11 in the first T20I after several low scores, while Abhishek was dismissed against off-spinner Roston Chase.
- First T20I result
- India won by eight wickets.
- Series standing
- India led the five-match series 1-0.
- Samson's first T20I score
- 11 runs.
- Samson's recent Asian Games scores
- 9, 7 and 2.
- Second T20I venue
- Ranchi.
- First T20I venue
- Lucknow.
- Pujara's view on team changes
- He said not to make too many changes and that Sooryavanshi would get an opportunity at the right time.