Sanju Samson has backed India’s young fast bowlers despite their 24-run defeat to the West Indies in the fourth T20I, saying they need more matches and experience to improve. The India wicketkeeper-batter also pointed to Tilak Varma’s dismissal as the key moment that changed the course of the chase.The defeat levelled the five-match series at 2-2, setting up a winner-takes-all decider in Bengaluru on Saturday. The West Indies posted 247 for three, powered by Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 50 balls, before Keemo Paul took five wickets to bowl India out for 223 in 19.3 overs.
Tilak Varma’s wicket proved decisive in India’s chase
India began the chase aggressively, with Samson smashing 56 off just 23 balls, including six fours and four sixes. The hosts raced to 60 without losing a wicket in four overs, but Keemo Paul dismissed Samson and Ishan Kishan in the fifth over to shift the momentum.Samson felt Tilak’s dismissal was the biggest turning point. Tilak scored 43 off 25 balls and was building a strong partnership with Reddy before his wicket weakened India’s position.“I think the turning point was when Tilak got out. As I said, we were cruising along nicely. Reddy and Tilak were putting the bowlers under pressure and batting really well,” he said, as quoted by PTI.Samson also stood by Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma, insisting that one quiet outing should not lead to doubts about their ability.“I think Ishan and Abhishek Sharma are two of the best batters in the world at the top of the order. You cannot really ask for more from them. One game (not scoring) is fine.”Despite the loss, Samson said India were ready for the series decider and acknowledged the West Indies’ strong performances.“We are 2-2 now, and everything comes down to the game in Bengaluru. We are very charged up and want to go out there and compete against them. West Indies have been playing some really good cricket, and you have to give them credit for coming to India and dominating in two games,” he added.
Samson backs young bowlers, praises Shai Hope
With Jasprit Bumrah rested, India’s bowling attack struggled to contain the visitors, as Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceded 52 runs each in their four overs. Samson said replacing Bumrah was not easy but expressed confidence in India’s emerging pace options.“He is a once-in-a-generation bowler, and we are very lucky to have him. But we also have some really good talent coming through. Arshdeep has been doing a great job, and the way Prince Yadav has bowled in the last few games has been very impressive.“We have some really good quality talent, and the more we play them and back them, the more matches we give them, the better they will become,” Samson said.He also credited Hope for his controlled batting, which helped the West Indies post a massive total.“He has been playing really well, and we need to respect what he has been doing. He has been playing some really good cricketing shots without taking too many risks.“We have to give him credit for the way he is batting, and we are definitely working on how to respond to him in every game,” he said.Samson explained that Hyderabad’s pitch, which offered good bounce, was suited to high-scoring matches. He added that teams must adjust their approach based on the conditions rather than follow the same plan everywhere.“When you are playing on a high-scoring ground, you have to go into fifth gear from ball one. But if you are playing on a surface where the scores are around 160-170, like in the Lucknow game, where there was something in the wicket, your plans change accordingly.“You cannot always play the same kind of cricket. You have to assess the conditions, the bounce and the situation,” Samson said.
