What Flaw Did Gavaskar Highlight in Samson Ahead of India-Pakistan Match?
Synopsis
In a critical analysis ahead of the India-Pakistan clash, Sunil Gavaskar highlights Sanju Samson's technical flaws. Can Samson improve his game in time for the high-stakes match? Discover insights on India's bowling strategy and potential changes as they gear up for this thrilling encounter.
Key Takeaways
Sanju Samson needs to adjust his batting technique.
Strategic changes may be made to the bowling lineup.
Kuldeep Yadav is likely to play against Pakistan.
India's bowlers have shown promise in the early matches.
Pressure situations require players to perform at their best.
New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar identified certain technical issues in Sanju Samson’s batting technique after the wicket-keeper scored just 22 runs against Namibia during India's second match of the T20 World Cup 2026, held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday.
Gavaskar noted that Samson's tendency to move too far back in the crease while trying to execute the flick shot is creating complications for him at the top of the batting order.
"Sanju Samson has a technical issue. He goes too deep in the crease to play that flick shot. One can only hope he times it perfectly, or it goes for a six. He must work on this, particularly when facing the new ball. Namibia strategically set their field to target Samson. Still, he managed to hit some impressive shots, which must have bolstered his confidence. If he plays in the upcoming match against Pakistan, he needs to spend more time at the crease," Gavaskar shared with Jio Star.
Gavaskar also commented on India’s bowling lineup and hinted at potential adjustments for the crucial encounter against Pakistan.
"Captain Suryakumar Yadav was trying different combinations against Namibia while keeping the Pakistan match in mind. Hardik's bowling in the first over indicates that Arshdeep might not play in the next match against Pakistan. Varun Chakaravarthy bowled only two overs but could have taken five or six wickets had he bowled his full quota," he added.
"The best part about Varun is his ability to take wickets whenever called upon. Axar Patel picked up two wickets in three overs, which is promising. All our bowlers managed to take wickets. Arshdeep did not complete his four overs, while Shivam Dube bowled two, and Hardik completed his quota. This suggests that Kuldeep Yadav could replace Arshdeep against Pakistan. Given that Sri Lanka's pitches favor spinners and India has historically played with three spinners, expect Kuldeep in the XI against Pakistan in Colombo," he concluded.
Meanwhile, former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel supported the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav against Pakistan, discussing India’s spin options.
"It’s great news that Washington Sundar is back. He presents an exciting option against Pakistan. However, my concern lies in the fact that he hasn't participated in T20Is for quite a while. He was injured, rushed to regain fitness for the World Cup, and missed the first two matches against the USA and Namibia. Now, suddenly, he’s expected to play against Pakistan. Yes, Pakistan has several left-handers like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz, and Faheem Ashraf," he noted.
"India has options, but I believe Kuldeep Yadav should be selected due to his consistent wicket-taking ability. Pakistan struggles against spin, and Kuldeep understands how to dismiss Pakistani batsmen. In the last Asia Cup final, he took four wickets. I would love to witness another Kuldeep Yadav masterclass against Pakistan," Parthiv Patel added.
Point of View
It is vital to recognize the significance of player performance and team strategy. Sunil Gavaskar's observations on Sanju Samson's technique shed light on areas needing improvement, especially in high-pressure situations. The selections and adjustments suggested for the bowling lineup indicate a strategic approach that could influence the outcome of this much-anticipated clash. At NationPress, we remain committed to delivering comprehensive coverage of this thrilling rivalry.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Gavaskar say about Sanju Samson?
Gavaskar pointed out that Samson's tendency to go deep in the crease while playing the flick shot is problematic, especially when facing the new ball.
Who might replace Arshdeep in the next match?
Kuldeep Yadav is likely to replace Arshdeep against Pakistan, as indicated by Gavaskar's analysis.
What are India's bowling options against Pakistan?
India has a solid bowling lineup, with Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, and the potential inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, who has historically performed well against Pakistan.
What concerns did Parthiv Patel express about Washington Sundar?
Patel expressed concern that Sundar hasn't played T20I cricket for a long time due to injury and might not be fully prepared for the match against Pakistan.
What impact does Kuldeep Yadav have against Pakistani batsmen?
Kuldeep Yadav has a strong track record against Pakistani batsmen, having taken four wickets in the last Asia Cup final, making him a valuable asset.
