'The turning point of the match': Sanju Samson reflects on India's 24-run loss against West Indies in 4th T20I at Hyderabad originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Sanju Samson called Tilak Varma’s dismissal the turning point in India’s 24-run loss to West Indies.
- Samson smashed 56 off 23 balls, but India fell short in the chase.
- He backed Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan while praising Shai Hope’s century.
- India will aim to bounce back in the series-deciding fifth T20I in Bengaluru.
Sanju Samson identifies Tilak Varma's dismissal as turning point in India's loss to West Indies
India lost by 24 runs to West Indies in the fourth T20I held in Hyderabad on Wednesday, making the series result dependent on the final match. Although Sanju Samson started India's chase with a flying start with 56 off 23 balls, India couldn't make their way to the target.
Samson stated that he thought India was in contention when Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy were batting. Yet, he singled out Tilak's wicket as the turning point of the match, which went to the opponents.
In his post-match conference interview, Samson reviewed the partnership between them, batting mistakes of India and difficulties of chasing the big total while highlighting the exceptional performance of West Indies captain Shai Hope with the bat.
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What did Sanju Samson say about Tilak Varma's dismissal?
Samson knew that the chase for India was not yet out of bounds when Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy were forming a partnership. Together, they stitched a stand of 70 runs for the sixth wicket, which kept India in the game despite the early fall of many wickets.
“The turning point of the match is when Tilak got out suddenly. Reddy and Tilak were taking the pressure and batting really well. Great even after losing five wickets and taking control,” he stated.
BCCI/Creimas
Tilak made 43 runs from 22 deliveries, while Reddy made 41 from 24 balls. But the dismissal of Tilak at 137/6 in the 13th over meant that India had an uphill battle. West Indies took advantage of the breakthrough to seize control of the game at the latter stages.
MORE:Tilak Varma explains controversial run-out against WI after criticism
Samson backs Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan after batting failures
India's opening batting line-up could not carry the momentum from there after a spectacular beginning by Samson. While Abhishek Sharma made 29 runs in just 14 balls, Ishan Kishan got out after scoring only six runs.
However, Samson supported his teammates and said that a small mistake would not be an issue.
"Mistakes are bound to happen,” he said. “Ishan and Abhishek are top two batters – one game is totally fine."
India started with good momentum but the dismissal of Samson and Ishan Kishan within the first five overs brought the Caribbean nation back into the game. It was after that that India started losing their wickets consistently and had to depend more on Tilak and Reddy.
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Sanju Samson reacts to Shai Hope's century
West Indies captain Shai Hope delivered a match-winning innings, blasting an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls and helping his team post 247/3 in 20 overs. Sherfane Rutherford added 49 runs off 26 balls in the unbeaten 91-run partnership.
Samson appreciated Hope's contribution, saying “Hope played a really good innings.”
India were faced with a target of 248 runs after conceding 247 runs as they decided to field first. Samson managed to get a quick fifty but the Men in Blue ended up being all out for 223 runs in 19.3 overs.
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Samson looks ahead after India's defeat levels T20I series
Samson’s 56-run knock helped India get off to a great start in their run chase, although he felt the loss overshadowed his performance.
Answering questions related to the Hyderabad wicket, he said, “Whatever you do feels different when you are on the losing side.
"I am gutted at the moment. I wanted to be on the winning side. When you are chasing a total like that, there is no second chance."
The Indian team's loss tied the five-match series 2-2 and set up an all-important final T20I match in Bengaluru on October 17.
"All comes down to Bengaluru game," Samson concluded.
Why did India lose the fourth T20I against West Indies?
It can be said that the loss was a combination of poor batting and bowling performance. Hope's century and the late acceleration by Rutherford powered the Windies to 247/3, while the Indian bowlers could not prevent the scoring rate and leaked 18 extras.
Samson helped India to remain competitive in the chase, however, his dismissal, along with Kishan's wicket, was a big blow to India's performance. Fellow opener Abhishek Sharma did not do well with his bat either.
The partnership between Tilak and Reddy gave India hope, but Tilak's dismissal became a turning point. West Indies took advantage of the same and Keemo Paul scored 5/41.
With the series now level at 2-2, India will need big contributions from their top-order batters and disciplined bowling in the fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru.
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