India vs Zimbabwe: Abhinav Mukund Makes A Strange Comment About Sanju Samson

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Published - 15 Jul 2024, 12:38 IST

Sanju Samson scored a fifty in the India vs Zimbabwe 5th T20I — Credits: BCCI/Twitter

India concluded their five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe with an impressive 4-1 victory. Despite a stumbling start with a loss in the first game, the Men in Blue staged a remarkable turnaround, clinching every subsequent match. The fifth T20I, where India batted first, saw them post a total of 167 runs on the board. Central to India's innings was a resilient performance by Sanju Samson, the star wicketkeeper-batter. The 29-year-old played a crucial role, scoring 58 runs off 45 deliveries, anchoring India's innings and ultimately contributing to their victory.

Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund took note of Samson's pivotal innings, acknowledging his talent and maturity on display. Mukund, 34, highlighted how Samson, despite not consistently capitalizing on his potential in recent times, has evolved significantly while captaining the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. This leadership role has evidently transformed Samson into a more composed and impactful player, as reflected in his match-winning performance against Zimbabwe.

Samson's innings not only solidified India's dominance in the series but also underscored his capability to deliver under pressure. As he continues to grow in stature, his contributions with the bat and behind the stumps are poised to become increasingly pivotal for Indian cricket in the seasons ahead.

"It's a tough place to be Sanju Samson in Indian cricket because, with all that talent, sometimes he tends to frustrate you, he doesn't show the maturity. I feel that's where captaining in the IPL, like he told me earlier, has really helped him because he plays with superstars but he also deals with youngsters as well like Riyan Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal," Abhinav Mukund told SonySports.

“That's where you see his maturity as a batter come through. There is immense competition for a wicketkeeper slot in Indian cricket at the moment, and Sanju Samson has just put his hand up today and said 'Listen, I am still here, so you better not count me out in any of these conversations'," he added.

India's solid total of 167 runs in their first innings was complemented by an outstanding bowling display in the fifth T20I against Zimbabwe. The hosts struggled significantly during their chase, managing only 125 runs before being all out. Mukesh Kumar emerged as the standout bowler of the match, claiming four crucial wickets to dismantle Zimbabwe's batting lineup effectively. Shivam Dube contributed with two wickets, while Tushar Deshpande, Washington Sundar, and Abhishek Sharma each took one wicket, collectively ensuring India's dominance in the match.

With disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, India secured a convincing 42-run victory, wrapping up the series with a resounding 4-1 triumph. This comprehensive performance underscored India's depth in both batting and bowling departments, showcasing their ability to bounce back after an initial setback in the series opener.