Photo via The Times of India

'Abhishek was also taking a little time': Pujara explains why Samson struggled in 3rd T20I

India’s T20 series against the West Indies took a decisive turn in Indore, where Sanju Samson’s early exit in the third match raised questions about his approach to the pitch. After a strong 82 in the previous game, Samson managed just three runs off six balls before being dismissed in the second over, caught by Kamil Pooran off Shamar Joseph.

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara later attributed the mistake to Samson’s need for more time to adapt to the conditions, noting that Abhishek Sharma’s slower start added pressure for Samson to accelerate too soon. Despite Samson’s struggles, India posted a competitive 223 for 20, with Sharma’s 69 off 30 balls anchoring their innings.

The West Indies fell short by 14 runs, handing India a 2-1 series lead after four matches, with the next clash set for Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Pujara also highlighted Ishan Kishan’s steady contributions at No. 3, praising his role in maintaining momentum after explosive starts from the top order.

Kishan’s ability to capitalize on Powerplay opportunities, even if not always scoring heavily, has become crucial for India’s strategy, according to Pujara. The team’s focus now shifts to extending their series lead, with Kishan and Sharma expected to play key roles in the remaining games.

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