'You need someone to stand up': Ex-India star shows no mercy on Sanju Samson after West Indies clinch T20I series

Sanju Samson, the captain of the Rajasthan Royals (RR), had a string of forgettable outings against the West Indies during India's recently finished Caribbean tour.

With India losing KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant, Samson was brought in as a reliable middle and top-order alternative for the T20I and ODI series against the West Indies.

During India's three-match ODI series against the West Indies, Samson averaged 30.00 and scored 60 runs in two innings.

The power-hitter then completed a poor away tour by scoring only 32 runs in five matches against the two-time world champions. Former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel said that Samson's efforts after the fifth and final T20I of the bilateral series failed to build a compelling case for himself in the World Cup year.

‘Sanju Samson had a great opportunity’

"When Tilak Varma left and Sanju Samson entered, he took his time. I believed he was well-adjusted and had a fantastic opportunity today. "These are the games where you need someone to step up and deliver a worthy performance, which Sanju Samson was unable to do," Parthiv told Crichistory.com

Romario Shepherd, the West Indies' first-choice bowler, dismissed Samson for 13 off 9 balls. The West Indies star took four wickets and allowed 31 runs as India compiled a below-par total against the hosts on Sunday at Lauderhill.

Hardik Pandya's second-string Indian side produced 165-9 in 20 overs, riding on Suryakumar Yadav's half-century.

'Suryakumar has been Mr Reliable.'

Suryakumar walked out to bat at No. 3 in the series finale against the West Indies. The star batter hit 61 off 45 pitches. Suryakumar, however, was unable to lead India to a series victory, as the West Indies defeated the visitors by an 8-wicket margin in the decider.

"Suryakumar Yadav did what Suryakumar Yadav did throughout the series." In this format, he has been Mr. Consistent. It's difficult to remain consistent and maintain playing shots in T20 cricket, but Suryakumar Yadav has done it time and again," Patel remarked.