Parthiv Patel urges Team India to include Sanju Samson in the IND vs ENG 4th T20I

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has called for a major change in India's batting order for the fourth T20I against England, scheduled for Thursday in Bristol. He believes Sanju Samson should return to the playing XI, potentially replacing Shivam Dube. Patel feels that including Samson would bring stability to Team India's batting lineup. Samson is a right-handed batsman, and the team currently has an abundance of left-handers—a factor that has disadvantaged the visiting side throughout the series.

“I feel he should be played because we have been saying from the first match that you cannot have six left-handers in the top seven, in the top eight (in this game), because Harshit Rana came at No. 7,” he said. 

The Indian team suffered a crushing 125-run defeat in the third T20I at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, leaving them trailing 0-2 in the five-match series. England holds an unassailable 2-0 lead and will be aiming to clinch the series in the fourth match, while India will take the field determined to stage a comeback. Chasing a target of 202 runs in the third T20I, India lost five wickets during the powerplay alone; consequently, the team sent Harshit Rana in at number seven to establish a right-left batting combination. However, this move yielded no benefit, and the team was bowled out for just 76 runs.

The former wicketkeeper noted that since Tilak Varma is the team's vice-captain, his spot is secure. Given this, the management could consider playing Sanju in place of Shivam Dube.

“If I keep myself in that dressing room and if I have to make a team, the focus goes on Tilak Varma, but he is India’s vice-captain. So I would want you to play Sanju Samson in place of Shivam Dube. Then the sixth bowling option won’t remain. However, you will go with five out-and-out main bowlers,” Parthiv Patel observed. 

In addition to advocating for Sanju's inclusion, Patel also proposed a new batting order. According to him, Vaibhav and Abhishek should open the innings, while Sanju should bat at the number three spot. Following them, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, and Harshit Rana should come out to bat. He acknowledged that Sanju possesses the ability to bat at any position.

“You will have to make Sanju Samson bat in the middle. He can also come at No. 3. Then Ishan Kishan can come in the middle, and Shreyas Iyer can come at No. 5. You can keep Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Shreyas Iyer from Nos. 3 to 5. India can think in that direction,” he said. 

To avoid losing the T20I series against England, the 'Men in Blue' must win both remaining matches. The fourth T20I is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, at the County Ground in Bristol, while the fifth and final match will take place on Saturday, July 11, in Southampton. Team India will have to win both upcoming matches to save the series.