Sanju Samson's knock an epitome of India's 180-degree batting approach in Gambhir-Suryakumar era

Team India seem to have found a new batting template in T20 internationals under new head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav. We witnessed that during the T20I series against Sri Lanka in July, and that story was fairly similar in the just-concluded T20I series against Bangladesh.

The only difference between the Sri Lanka and the Bangladesh series’ is that against the Tigers, the Men in Blue were missing several seniors like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. Having said that, this series was the perfect opportunity for those “fringe” and new players to get a go on the international stage.

IND vs BAN 3rd T20I stats | Sanju Samson sets multiple milestones as Men in Blue run riot in third T20I

And they delivered on the promise. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had made headlines during IPL 2024 with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), dominated the limelight in the second match with a 34-ball 74, and also took two wickets. Pacer Mayank Yadav enjoyed a pretty decent debut series with the national team. But towards the end of the series, during the third and final T20I in Hyderabad on Sunday, the spotlight fell on one man —Sanju Samson.

Sanju Samson, an epitome of success

You could say a player like Samson is overrated and underrated at the same time, but there’s no denying the fact that the Kerala batter is an epitome of success. So much so that, he brings out his best when you least expect him to. He does so at a time when his critics write him off almost completely, thus giving those critics a perfect example of who he is.

Take that century against South Africa in Paarl in an ODI late last year for example. That was one of his most composed knocks that he had played till date. That was until Saturday, when Samson redefined his batting to go hammer and tongs against Bangladesh with a 40-ball century .

Read | Samson’s ton at the heart of Hyderabad run-fest as India sweep T20I series against Bangladesh

Samson had showcased a similar batting display in the first match in Gwalior, when he had got off to a quick start, only to be dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the eighth over while going for a slog. Given the start that he had, it was a good chance for the right-handed batter to produce a big knock. But in Gwalior, it wasn’t meant to be.

In Hyderabad, Samson was in his zone. The same Samson who had been dismissed for consecutive ducks against Sri Lanka not long ago, was back with a bang. Enjoying what he does best, that is, score runs and that too through boundaries. Add to the fact that Samson was opening an innings in each of the three matches alongside a young and relatively inexperienced Abhishek Sharma.

The kind of approach the 29 year-old had almost mirrors what head coach Gautam Gambhir as well as captain Suryakumar Yadav want.

After those two ducks against the Lankans, however, Samson himself wasn’t sure where he was heading to, in terms of his T20I career. “In the last series I got two ducks and went back to Kerala thinking, “kya hoga bhai,” Samson said after the third T20I on Saturday.

Read | ‘We want to be a selfless team’, says Surya after Men in Blue complete T20I series sweep

So what changed? He received encouragement from the leadership group, including SKY and Gambhir. “Three weeks before the series, I was fortunate to get a message from the leadership group. I think Surya, Gautam bhai and Abhishek Nayar told me three weeks ago that I would be opening. That gave me some kind of proper preparation. I went back to Rajasthan Royals academy, I was playing lots and lots of new-ball bowlers. That preparation definitely helps you.

“I was coming in 10 per cent more ready in this series than any other series. I think communication helps you be better prepared,” he added.

It’s not just Samson who has contributed to this 180-degree batting change from Team India.

Nitish Reddy also benefits from Gambhir and SKY’s support

Talent depth has always been one of the major aspects of Indian cricket over the years, and that was on display during the India-Bangladesh T20Is. Nitish Kumar Reddy was one such player. The SRH all-rounder gave an example of the fearless approach that’s needed in T20 cricket. He’s not the first one to do so at any rate. Both in the past and present, India have had players come up with this kind of fearless approach, more so with the bat.

However, it’s not just one cricketer we’re talking about. Instead, it’s the team. And the intention of this team management led by head coach Gambhir is clear – build a team around more fearless cricketers.

“It feels great to represent India, feel so proud about this moment. Grateful for everything. I should give credit to the captain and coach. They gave me the licence to play fearless cricket,” Nitish had said after the second T20I.

Hardik Pandya, too, gave an insight into the freedom that the coach and captain gives the team. “The kind of freedom skipper and coach have given is fantastic for the whole group. At the end of the day if you can enjoy the sport you can get the maximum out of yourself. When the dressing room is enjoying everyone’s success you feel like doing it more,” Hardik, Player of the Series against Bangladesh, said.

The intent of this Indian team is clear – go out and play a no-holds-barred kind of cricket, with quality aggressive batting right from the word go. And more importantly, it’s the mutual trust between the captain, coach and the players that matter. Because without that, there’s no unity and without unity, a team would be unable to produce results.

Exciting times are ahead for this Indian team in terms of batting, but bigger challenges await. It’s a tour of South Africa in November as far as India’s next T20I series is concerned, and while the seniors could very well return for that, the signs that point to the future of T20I batting for India are promising.