New Delhi: India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has addressed the growing discussion around competition for the opening slots in the T20I side, insisting that the contest between him, Abhishek Sharma and teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi exists mainly outside the Indian dressing room.
Samson made the comments after producing a match-winning innings in India’s second T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 15. He smashed 57 runs off 22 balls as India chased down Afghanistan’s target of 160 in just 14.5 overs to win by seven wickets and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
His explosive knock came after he had scored only 10 runs in the opening match of the series, when India preferred Samson and Abhishek Sharma as their opening pair while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remained on the bench.
The selection debate had intensified around the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi, who has emerged as one of India’s most talked-about young batting prospects.
Samson says competition exists outside the team
Asked about the competition for the two opening positions, Samson said the players do not view one another as rivals within the Indian team.
He explained that Sooryavanshi and Abhishek may be considered competitors from an outside perspective, but the players themselves are focused on contributing to India’s success.
Samson stressed that the team’s priority is to win matches rather than individuals worrying about who receives an opportunity.
He also said players cannot afford to develop a negative mindset by questioning why another teammate has been selected or given an opportunity.
The comments came after Samson’s rapid half-century helped India complete a comfortable chase against Afghanistan.
Samson answers critics with rapid half-century
Samson entered the second T20I under additional attention following his modest contribution in the series opener.
In the first match, India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets, but Samson was dismissed for 10 while Abhishek Sharma played a spectacular innings of 82 from 32 balls.
The result fuelled discussion about whether Sooryavanshi could be given an opportunity in the second game.
However, the Indian team retained Samson and Abhishek at the top of the order for the second T20I.
Samson responded with one of his most aggressive innings in recent matches.
He scored 57 from just 22 deliveries, helping India chase the 160-run target with more than five overs to spare. Abhishek also contributed 39 from 19 balls, with the opening pair putting India in a strong position during the chase.
The victory also secured the T20I series for India with one match still remaining.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains part of selection discussion
The presence of Sooryavanshi has added a new dimension to India’s opening-batter selection.
The 15-year-old has already made his T20I debut and was part of India’s recent international plans. His inclusion in the squad for the Afghanistan series created a selection equation involving several players capable of opening the innings.
Before the Afghanistan series, the Indian team had already been managing the availability and roles of several top-order batters, including Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Sooryavanshi.
In the opening T20I against Afghanistan, the team management chose Samson and Abhishek as the opening combination, leaving Sooryavanshi out of the playing XI.
The decision attracted discussion among former cricketers and commentators, with different views emerging over the combination India should use at the top of the order.
Samson admits outside noise can affect players
While Samson said he tries to stay away from social media discussions, he admitted that it is not always possible to completely ignore external commentary.
He explained that he sometimes comes across remarks made by former players and other voices discussing his place in the Indian team.
Samson said such outside noise can affect cricketers, particularly in India, where the national team receives intense public attention.
He acknowledged that he has been affected by criticism in the past.
The wicketkeeper-batter also rejected the idea that players can simply switch off their emotions and become completely unaffected by criticism.
He said cricketers are not machines or robots and that comments can sometimes have an impact, even when players attempt to ignore them.
Focus remains on preparation and performance
Samson said the key for players is to remain clear about their mindset and preparation.
Rather than allowing external discussion to influence his approach, he tries to focus on the immediate requirements of the game.
His performance against Afghanistan provided a practical example of that approach.
After scoring only 10 in the opening game, Samson returned with a 22-ball 57 in the second T20I. His innings included aggressive strokeplay and helped India finish the chase comfortably.
The performance also came at a time when questions were being raised about his position because of Sooryavanshi’s presence in the squad.
India seal series against Afghanistan
India’s second consecutive seven-wicket victory gave the team a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Afghanistan posted 159 for eight after being sent in to bat. India’s bowlers restricted the visitors effectively through the middle overs, with Nitish Kumar Reddy taking three wickets.
India then chased down the target in 14.5 overs.
Samson’s 57 and Abhishek’s 39 gave India a rapid start before further contributions from the middle order completed the chase.
The result means India have already secured the series ahead of the third and final T20I.
Third T20I could provide another opportunity
The final match of the series is scheduled for September 17.
With India having already secured the series, the team management could have an opportunity to assess different combinations ahead of upcoming international commitments.
Captain Shreyas Iyer has also indicated that Sooryavanshi could be considered for the final match, adding further interest to the selection discussion.
Whether the teenager gets an opportunity in the final game will depend on the team’s selection plans and combination.
For Samson, however, the focus remains on contributing to the team’s results rather than treating a teammate as a personal rival.
A team-first message from Samson
The discussion surrounding India’s opening options is likely to continue as the team manages experienced players alongside emerging talent.
Samson’s comments, however, underline the approach he wants to maintain inside the Indian camp: players may compete for places, but their immediate responsibility remains to contribute to the team’s objectives.
His 57-run innings in the second T20I provided a timely response on the field after the questions surrounding his position.
With India already holding an unassailable lead, attention now shifts to the final match and the possible opportunities for players such as Sooryavanshi.
For Samson, the message remains centred on teamwork, preparation and maintaining a positive mindset despite the intense scrutiny surrounding selection in Indian cricket.