Sanju Samson made a significant impact behind the stumps in India’s third T20I against England in Rajkot on Tuesday. The wicketkeeper-batter played a key role in convincing captain Suryakumar Yadav to take a DRS, which turned out to be a game-changing decision.
Samson’s Spot-On DRS Call
The incident occurred on the final ball of the 10th over when Jos Buttler attempted a reverse sweep against Varun Chakravarthy. The ball brushed close to his gloves before being caught by Samson, who immediately went up in appeal. The on-field umpire, however, was unmoved.
Despite his teammates’ lack of enthusiasm, Samson persisted, urging captain Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) to go for the review. Even Chakravarthy, the bowler, was uncertain, but SKY eventually relented—and the review proved to be successful, dismissing Buttler at a crucial juncture.
Varun Chakravarthy’s Five-Wicket Haul Stuns England
India’s spinners dominated once again, with Varun Chakravarthy leading the attack, picking up a brilliant 5/24 in four overs. His standout performance included dismissing Jofra Archer with a sharp googly to complete his second five-wicket haul in T20s.
Despite a solid start by England (52/1), their innings collapsed from 83/1 to 127/8, thanks to India’s spin attack. Only Liam Livingstone (43 off 24) managed to counter the collapse, finishing the innings on a high.
Mohammed Shami’s Strong Comeback
Making his return to international cricket after 14 months, Mohammed Shami impressed with tight spells, though he picked up only one wicket.
Key Performances
✅ Ben Duckett (51 off 28): Led England’s early charge with aggressive strokeplay.
✅ Varun Chakravarthy (5/24): Star performer with a match-winning five-wicket haul.
✅ Axar Patel (1/19 in 3 overs): Economical spell, keeping England in check.
✅ Liam Livingstone (43 off 24): Helped England recover from a collapse.
India’s Spin Strategy Paying Off
India’s spinners have troubled England throughout the series, with Chakravarthy, Bishnoi, and Axar Patel proving difficult to handle. While Ravi Bishnoi (4/46) struggled with consistency, Chakravarthy’s clinical spell choked England’s middle order.
Series Context
With this strong bowling performance, India now holds a commanding position in the five-match T20I series, leading 2-0.
India will look to seal the series in the fourth T20I as England struggles to counter the Indian spin attack.