‘You’ve got to take risks at the top’ – Kevin Pietersen backs Sanju Samson to come good despite three successive failures against England

Indian wicketkeeper Sanju Samson’s form has come under the scanner once again. The 30-year-old took the world by storm with three tons in T20I cricket late last year. However, Samson has managed to score just 34 runs in the first three games in the ongoing T20I series against England. 

Jofra Archer has managed to dismiss Samson on each of those three occasions. Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen has defended the under-fire batter to come good in the final two games. The fourth game of the series is set to be played in Pune with the series score line reading 2-1 in India’s favor despite England’s win in Rajkot. 

Pietersen said, “I just think that on occasions you get stuck and that's life. You've got to take risks at the top of the order. Same as Abhishek Sharma, same as all these batters. They're taking risks at the top of the order. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but more often than not, Samson comes up with the goods."

Kevin Pietersen praises Sanju Samson despite recent failures

Sanju Samson began with 26 runs in the first game of the series in Kolkata. The 30-year-old has scored just eight runs in the next two games as India’s top order has faced constant issues. The lack of runs from Samson’s blade seems to have had an effect on the home team, who have struggled against the new ball. 

Pietersen, during his chat on Star Sports, said, “I think mentally he's sound. I really like Sanju Samson as a batter. I actually love him. I was pretty surprised that he hasn't had more of a consistent role over the last few years. Yes, he's got a game here at the top of the order, but listen, these things happen. Things happen so quickly in the shortest form of the game."

The 43-year-old former England skipper also added, “If he keeps doing it over the next six weeks or he does it over the next couple of months, then I'd probably have a look at it and start to question his technique. But I think that he's a fabulous player. I think he plays the short ball extremely well, and I just think he’s a rock solid player. So from that standpoint, there's no way that I'm going to stand here and critique his play of the short ball."