Drop Sanju Samson? Ishan Kishan piles pressure on Kerala star: Ex-bowler

Ishan Kishan's powerful innings puts Sanju Samson under pressure in India's T20I squad, feels former New Zealand bowler Simon Doull. The team faces a tough selection choice with Tilak Varma's return adding to the competition.

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull believes Ishan Kishan has put Sanju Samson firmly under pressure following his impressive return to the Indian team. Kishan played a belligerent knock of 76 off just 32 balls, laced with 11 fours and four sixes, in the second T20I against New Zealand, helping India chase down a daunting target of 209 in only 15.2 overs.

Kishan’s resurgence has come at a time when Sanju Samson has struggled at the top of the order. Samson has failed to make an impact in the series so far, managing only 16 runs across three innings. With Samson out of form and Kishan flying, Doull feels the latter is mounting serious pressure on the Kerala batter, especially with Tilak Varma set to return to the playing XI.

“He’s putting pressure on Sanju. We talked about it earlier — they’ll give him another couple of games, I’m sure, to define that form. But there’s a bit of pressure now, especially when Tilak comes back and probably slots in at number three. There’s some friendly competition going on between those two at the moment,” Doull told Star Sports.

Doull further lauded Kishan’s fearless approach, highlighting how the left-hander got off the mark with a six on just his second delivery during the third T20I.

“There was some serious range hitting from him in the very first over. You’ve just lost a wicket and he walks out, then two balls later he hits one out of the park for six. It’s incredible. Phenomenal striking. You’ve got a guy high on confidence and with the ability to play those shots. He’s got such fast hands, really fast hands through the ball, and that’s something I love about him. No fear whatsoever,” he added.

Kishan walked out to bat in the very first over in Guwahati after Sanju Samson was cleaned up by Matt Henry on the opening ball of the innings. However, the southpaw wasted no time settling in, launching Henry for consecutive sixes on the third and fourth deliveries of the over, followed by a boundary on the fifth ball to swiftly swing the momentum in India’s favour.