"You might regret that you wasted your chances" - Aakash Chopra on Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma's below-par scores in IND vs BAN 2024 T20I series
Aakash Chopra reckons Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma might regret not making the most of their chances in the first two T20Is between India and Bangladesh. He pointed out that the duo might lose their places for the T20I series against South Africa if the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are available.
Samson and Abhishek were dismissed for 10 and 15, respectively, as India set Bangladesh a 222-run target in the second T20I in Delhi on Wednesday, October 9. The Men in Blue eventually registered an emphatic 86-run win as they restricted the Bangla Tigers to 135/9 in the chase.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' he noted that Samson and Abhishek's inability to play substantial knocks in the first two T20Is against Bangladesh could hurt them.
"My last topic is actually the openers. Abhishek Sharma is one and Sanju Samson is also there along with him. It is a crude reminder that two knocks have passed and you haven't contributed significantly. You have the license to play long knocks," he said (8:00).
"When the South Africa tour comes, who knows Yashasvi, Shubman and Ruturaj might be available, and Sanju and Abhishek are opening. Suddenly you have five openers and five won't play. Ishan Kishan might also start knocking on the door after some time. When you find yourself in that situation, you might regret that you wasted your chances," the former India opener added.
India will travel to South Africa for four T20Is between November 8 and 15. Gill and Jaiswal are unlikely to be part of that tour, with the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting in Perth on November 22.
"If a big score can be made, let's not sell ourselves short" - Aakash Chopra to Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma
![Sanju Samson couldn't convert his start into a substantial score in the first T20I. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/a9db6-17285470776721-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra urged Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma to give themselves a little more time in the third and final T20I against Bangladesh and look for bigger scores.
"These two matches have passed. You will need to give yourself a little time. If a big score can be made, let's not sell ourselves short, that's what I feel. This is same for Abhishek and Sanju Samson because you are getting the chance to open and you have the entire 20 overs," he said (9:10).
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the ultra-aggressive approach becomes counterproductive after a few consecutive failures.
"I know the philosophy is to hit a lot and do it consistently. Probably give yourself a little time because it looks good if you are doing well, but if you stitch a few failures together, that philosophy backfires," Chopra observed.
Samson was caught in the deep for a 19-ball 29 in the first T20I. Abhishek was run out after scoring 16 runs off seven deliveries in the series opener in Gwalior.