February 2, 2025: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed strong support for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, suggesting that the player should be allowed a “long patch of failures” due to his potential to make a significant impact when in form. Manjrekar emphasized that in T20 cricket, where risks are often taken, players like Samson, who can deliver match-winning performances, should be given the chance to work through lean patches.
Despite Samson’s recent struggles in the ongoing T20I series against England, where he has scored only 35 runs in four innings, Manjrekar believes that his ability to turn games around when in form makes him worth the patience. Samson had previously showcased his brilliance with three centuries in five innings against Bangladesh and South Africa, proving his capability to dominate when he finds his rhythm. Manjrekar noted that such inconsistency is common in T20 cricket, and Samson’s potential to score big when he clicks justifies giving him more opportunities.
The fifth and final T20I of the series is set to take place at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, with India already leading the series 2-1. Manjrekar’s comments reflect his belief in Samson’s ability to turn things around, with patience being key to unlocking his full potential in the long term.