Gwalior, India – Following Sanju Samson's golden duck in the third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati on Sunday, veteran Indian cricketer R Ashwin has tempered his earlier stance on the inclusion of Ishan Kishan in the national squad. Samson's dismissal on the first ball he faced has intensified the debate around India's opening combination and whether he can be considered for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Samson's recent scores of 10, 6, and 0 in the series have extended his lean run in T20Is, drawing criticism from fans regarding his form and technique. In contrast, Ishan Kishan scored a strong 76 in a recent match in Raipur, adding pressure on Samson. With Tilak Varma expected to return from injury, the competition for a spot in the playing XI has become even fiercer.

Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, initially cautioned against making hasty changes to the team, particularly concerning Samson. He stated, "It's way too early to think of dropping him. If India keeps doing such circus acts by playing Sanju when he did well before, and now Kishan because he's playing well now, I don't have to tell how it'll end for India. It's not ideal inside the dressing room. There is a lot of competition for places, but it's too early for this change".

However, after Samson's dismissal for a golden duck, Ashwin appeared to soften his stance. While still advocating for patience, he acknowledged the growing pressure on the Kerala-born cricketer. He also defended Samson's attacking approach, saying it would be unfair to penalize him for getting out while playing an attacking shot and benching him. He argued that such an approach would prevent the team from witnessing the best of that player. Ashwin elaborated that Samson "just saw the ball and went for it," emphasizing that it wasn't a rash decision but an instinctive reaction.

The former India all-rounder stressed that it is still too early to consider dropping Samson and that constant changes in the playing XI could be detrimental to the team's atmosphere. He believes that Samson should not be judged harshly for getting out while playing attacking shots.

Other cricket analysts have also weighed in on the situation. Former India opener Aakash Chopra suggested that the third match in Guwahati could be the most decisive game of Samson's career.

Samson's dismissal came off a delivery from Matt Henry that nipped back in, hitting his back leg before crashing into the stumps. This has led to fans expressing their disappointment and questioning his technique on social media.

The debate surrounding Samson's place in the team reflects the intense competition for spots in the Indian T20I squad, especially with the T20 World Cup on the horizon. With Ishan Kishan in good form and Tilak Varma's return imminent, the team management faces a tough decision regarding the optimal composition of the batting lineup.