Veteran cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has advised Sanju Samson to stick to his own style of play rather than trying to imitate Abhishek Sharma. Recently, Samson faced a tough time, getting out for a golden duck, and has only managed to score 16 runs in three matches during the ongoing series in 2026. This marks a challenging phase for him ahead of the T20 World Cup.
In contrast, Abhishek Sharma shone brightly, achieving a quick-fire fifty in just 14 balls, helping India secure a victory by 8 wickets. Amid these celebrations, the focus remained on Samson, who has struggled as an opener, scoring only 104 runs in his last nine innings with an average of 11.55 and a strike rate of 133.33.
During an interview on Cricbuzz, Rahane emphasized the importance of support from the team management and captain Suryakumar Yadav for Samson. He stressed that Samson needs to be assured of his position in the team, especially with the World Cup approaching. “It’s essential to communicate to Sanju that he will play in these matches and the World Cup too. With Abhishek performing well, it can put pressure on him to match that pace. Samson needs to focus on his own game plan and trust himself,” Rahane noted.
Rahane highlighted that during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Samson scored 233 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 137.86. He believes that the management should give Samson the freedom to play in his unique style.
“What I observed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was that he enjoyed playing his game. Clear communication is vital at this moment, especially since Ishan Kishan is in good form. The team often looks to the player who is performing well, so it’s crucial to assure Samson and give him that freedom. He’s a talented player who can turn matches around if he backs himself,” Rahane added.
What Can Samson Do?
Rahane also shared advice for Samson to regain his form. He suggested that Samson should focus on playing simple innings at first to get back into rhythm by spending time at the crease. “Belief is key. He should play freely and back himself. Rather than comparing himself to Abhishek, he should play like he did for Rajasthan Royals. Maybe aim for a 15-ball 25 or a 20-ball 30. Spending that extra time early in his innings could help him find his groove again,” Rahane said.
With India having already secured the series and the next match taking place in Vizag, it remains to be seen if they will continue to support Samson or bring back Tilak Varma at the top of the order.
