India vs England: What is the comeback route for Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav?

Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson faced challenges with the bat during India’s recently concluded five-match T20I series against England, where the team triumphed 4-1. Despite India’s dominant victory, both Yadav and Samson’s individual performances raised concerns. Suryakumar, who has been one of India’s star T20I batters, struggled to make an impact in this series, managing just 28 runs across five innings. While he played a crucial leadership role in guiding India to the series win, his batting failed to meet the high expectations placed on him.

Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav struggling for form after failure in the India vs England T20I series

Sanju Samson, who had shown great promise in the latter half of 2024, also had a disappointing run, amassing only 51 runs in five innings. The wicketkeeper-batter failed to replicate the form that had earned him praise earlier in the year, with his struggles at the crease proving to be a setback for India’s batting lineup. Ravichandran Ashwin, reflecting on the duo's performances, urged them to come up with better strategies and plans the next time they represent the country. The veteran spinner emphasized the importance of adaptability and mental fortitude, especially in high-pressure series. Both Yadav and Samson will be hoping to regroup and come back stronger, aiming to regain their form ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures, including the Champions Trophy.

Ravichandran Ashwin praised Suryakumar Yadav for his leadership qualities during India’s 4-1 T20I series win against England, acknowledging the Mumbai batter’s ability to guide the team through the challenges of the series. However, Ashwin also noted a concerning pattern in Suryakumar's dismissals. Despite being one of India’s most dynamic T20I players, Suryakumar failed to convert his starts into substantial scores, with his dismissals following a repetitive trend that seemed to undermine his potential. Ashwin emphasized the need for Suryakumar to address these recurring issues in his batting approach, particularly when facing pressure situations.

Similarly, Ashwin highlighted that Sanju Samson’s dismissals also followed a consistent pattern, which limited his impact on the series. While Samson had previously shown glimpses of his immense talent, his inability to break free from these patterns in the England series raised questions about his mental approach and adaptability under varying match conditions. Ashwin’s observations serve as constructive criticism, urging both players to recalibrate their strategies and focus on improving their techniques in order to overcome these recurring dismissal patterns in future matches.

“The problem though, however, is Suryakumar’s batting. Of course, his captaincy has been really good in this series. But he can allow his batting some much-needed breathing space. Sanju Samson and SKY getting out to the same ball, same field, same shot, same mistake, same dismissal,” Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.

“I can understand it happening in 1-2 games, but this is not uncanny anymore. Players should play with freedom, but our batters need to have better answers to the same question. Suryakumar Yadav is a very experienced guy. One could say he was at the forefront of a change of guard of sorts. But it is time he changed his approach to his batting,” he added. 

Ravichandran Ashwin recently praised Abhishek Sharma for his sensational knock in the fifth T20I against England at the Wankhede Stadium, where the Punjab batter struck the second-fastest century by an Indian in T20I cricket. Ashwin, who has always been a keen observer of the game, commended Abhishek's fearless approach and ability to handle pressure in a high-stakes match. Sharma's rapid century, which came off just 43 balls, not only showcased his aggressive stroke play but also his temperament in the middle, a quality that can be crucial in T20 cricket.

Ashwin emphasized that Abhishek’s performance was particularly impressive given the circumstances. With the series already decided, the young batter’s ability to rise to the occasion and deliver a match-winning knock demonstrated his potential as a future star for India. Ashwin also highlighted that such performances were a testament to Abhishek's growing maturity as a cricketer, capable of making a mark in the international arena. This innings not only marked a personal milestone for Abhishek but also placed him in the spotlight, opening doors for more consistent opportunities in India's T20I setup. Ashwin’s praise reflects the excitement surrounding the young batter’s prospects, with many hoping that he can build on this momentum for future success in international cricket.

“This is a problem of plenty, not embarrassment of many. Why are we embarrassed when we have the riches? Let’s use terms that best exemplify our bench. Of course, Jaiswal has a place in this team, but this innings by Abhishek Sharma would train all eyes on him. He’s such a pretty-looking batsman who makes cricket look so easy on the eye. It will be tough to take our eyes off him,” Ashwin concluded.