Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned West Indies captain Shai Hope’s decision to use Akeal Hosein for three overs during the powerplay against Sanju Samson in the second T20I in Ranchi on Friday, October 9. Samson made the most of the opportunity, scoring 35 runs off 13 deliveries against Hosein, including four consecutive boundaries in the fifth over.
The Indian wicketkeeper-batter went on to smash 82 off 41 balls, helping India post an imposing 249/5 in their 20 overs. However, the West Indies produced a remarkable response, with Hope smashing an unbeaten 102 off 45 deliveries to guide his team to a six-wicket victory in 18.3 overs. The result levelled the five-match T20I series at 1-1.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash ki Baat, Ravichandran Ashwin felt Hope’s bowling strategy played into Samson’s hands. According to the former spinner, the Indian opener had looked scratchy at the start and was not in a particularly productive run-scoring phase before Hosein’s extended spell helped him find his rhythm.
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“Samson looked scratchy because he was not in a run-scoring phase. However, Shai Hope also made a mistake today. You cannot keep using spinners from one end in an attempt to build pressure on Sanju Samson,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.
He compared Hope’s decision to serving a hungry lion a goat on a platter, arguing that Samson was given the opportunity to attack the left-arm spinner and regain his confidence. Ravichandran Ashwin also praised Samson for continuing to play aggressively despite coming into the match after a string of low scores. He highlighted the batter’s willingness to take risks for the team’s benefit rather than prioritising his place in the side.
“It is not easy to maintain that attitude. It is human nature that when you are in danger and know that you might be dropped, self-preservation becomes the top priority. Yet, he continues to take risks for the team,” Ravichandran Ashwin added.
The former India cricketer also pointed out that luck played a part in Sanju Samson’s innings, as the batter survived a dropped catch during his knock. Samson has experienced several ups and downs throughout his international career, but Ashwin believes the wicketkeeper-batter possesses the ability to change a match single-handedly when he finds his rhythm.
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The 31-year-old has scored 1,660 runs in 74 T20Is at an average of 27.21 and a strike rate of 157.64, including nine half-centuries and three centuries. Samson will next be in action during the third T20I against the West Indies in Indore on Sunday, October 11, as India look to regain the series lead.
