IND vs SL: “If someone has done well, you want to reward him” – Aakash Chopra picks Ishan Kishan over Sanju Samson


IND vs SL: “If someone has done well, you want to reward him” – Aakash Chopra picks Ishan Kishan over Sanju Samson

Ishan Kishan, Aakash Chopra and Sanju Samson

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has stated that picking between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson to start the Sri Lanka series won’t be easy for the team management.

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India and Sri Lanka are set to face each other at three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The six-match limited-overs series will begin on July 18 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

In a recent video uploaded on his Youtube channel, Aakash Chopra mentioned that he won’t be surprised if both Kishan and Samson get three games each against the island nation. However, the cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that he would want Ishan Kishan to start ahead of the Kerala cricketer. 

“It is a tough question. I also feel that because Rahul Dravid and Shikhar Dhawan are there, maybe both are played three matches each. I will start with Ishan Kishan for the simple reason that he had done well recently. If someone has done well, you want to reward him,” Chopra said.

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Aakash Chopra pointed out that Samson had got some opportunities in the past where he could produce some underwhelming performances only. 

“Sanju Samson got limited opportunities at the highest level. He didn’t really make the most of it but he will get chances again now,” he added.

“Both will not get to bat up the order” – Chopra

Aakash Chopra opined that Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson would have just limited opportunities to impress the selectors as they won’t get to bat in the top order. Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav and Manish Pandey are likely to be team India’s top four during the upcoming series against SL.

“But there should be continuity. Last time you had played Ishan, albeit in a shorter format and the longer encounters will be played first, that means the ODIs but then I will start with Ishan but I won’t be surprised or disappointed if the team plays Sanju first and then plays Ishan.”

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“Sanju Samson is ahead in seniority but Ishan Kishan is ahead if we see in terms of continuity. Both are talented players but both will not get to bat up the order. They will not get a spot in the top three. So they will have to play a new role, if they are able to do that, they will do their chances a world of good,” Chopra concluded.

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