Sanju Samson finds his flow in Vizag nets, Shreyas Iyer enjoys a marathon
India Today
India vs New Zealand, 4th T20I: Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer had extended batting sessions in Visakhapatnam during India's optional training on Tuesday. Axar Patel, returning from injury, eased into rhythm as India showed no signs of loosening their grip on the series against a New Zealand side struggling for answers.
India had an optional training session on the eve of their fourth T20I against New Zealand at the ACA–VCDA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. After New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson was put through the paces in a simulated training session under the harsh afternoon sun, the Indian players took to the nets as the light softened towards sunset.
Sanju Samson was the centre of attention as he walked out to bat early alongside Shreyas Iyer. The Chennai Super Kings batter, who has been under considerable pressure after three failures in as many matches in the series, appeared to be in good spirits. With the knowledge that the team management is fully backing him, Samson looked focused on the task at hand.
A handful of fans who had turned up to watch India’s training session in the early evening took care of the chants. “Sanju bhai,” a few called out, prompting an acknowledgement from one of the biggest crowd favourites in the current T20I side. Predictably, there were “CSK, CSK” chants as well, even though the setting was a few hundred kilometres away from what will be Samson’s new home in a few months.
Samson padded up and looked convincing in the nets, far removed from the man who has appeared short on confidence in the middle since his return to the top of the order in the ongoing series against New Zealand. He faced the likes of Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh, sweating it out for a solid 30 minutes. Nothing seemed to trouble him. Samson looked fluent, intent on rediscovering the rhythm he shows when fully in song.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, bowling coach Morne Morkel and captain Suryakumar Yadav were among those who kept a close watch on Samson as he went through his routines. Samson has received the backing of the Indian team management ahead of Vizag T20I (Credit: Akshay Ramesh/India Today)
Only a couple of minutes earlier, Morkel had reiterated that Samson enjoys the full backing of the team.
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