Hanuma Vihari points out area of concern in Sanju Samson’s batting

Sanju Samson’s Match-Winning Knock Earns Praise—and a Technical Warning

Sanju Samson made a powerful statement in India’s opening T20I against New Zealand, striking 67 from just 33 deliveries as India chased a record 226-run target in Christchurch. His innings featured eight fours and four sixes, helping India get the series off to a dramatic start and earning him another Player of the Match award.

Samson’s confident stroke play caught the attention of fans, but former India batter Hanuma Vihari also identified a technical concern that could become important in the matches ahead. While praising Samson’s shot selection and impact, Vihari suggested that the batter’s footwork against swing bowling remains an area to watch—particularly before the second T20I in Christchurch.

Hanuma Vihari Flags Samson’s Footwork Against Swing

Vihari’s assessment focused on Samson’s position in the crease when facing deliveries that move away from the bat. According to the former Delhi Capitals player, Samson can be vulnerable when he stays deep in his crease and does not move his feet decisively towards the ball.

Vihari explained that the conditions in the first match did not offer enough swing to expose the issue consistently. However, he pointed to an outswinging delivery from Adam Milne as an example of how Samson’s foot movement could leave him at risk.

“There was not much swing, so there was no problem. But when there is swing, Sanju Samson has issues, as he stays deep in the crease,” Vihari said in a video on his YouTube channel. He added that Samson can be beaten when his feet remain still, while straighter deliveries are more likely to suit his natural attacking style.

The observation is not a dismissal of Samson’s performance. Rather, it highlights a tactical challenge that New Zealand’s bowlers may try to exploit. In T20 cricket, even a small adjustment in line, length or movement can change a batter’s options, especially when the ball is new and the field is still spread across the boundary.

Why Samson’s Straight Hitting Worked

Despite raising concerns about footwork, Vihari praised Samson’s decision-making in the record chase. He noted that the Indian batter was particularly effective when he played the ball straight, using the full face of the bat rather than forcing shots across the line.

That approach proved valuable in Christchurch, where Samson’s timing and clean contact allowed him to find the boundary regularly. His innings gave India momentum during a demanding chase and helped put pressure on New Zealand’s bowlers. The combination of controlled straight hitting and selective aggression was central to his impact.

Vihari also pointed to Samson’s recent performances against the West Indies as evidence that the batter can produce more than occasional flashes of brilliance. Samson’s consistency has fluctuated at different stages of his career, but a run of productive innings can strengthen his confidence and give India greater stability at the top of the order.

For Samson, the next step will be to carry that form forward while adjusting to different bowling conditions. If New Zealand attack him with movement away from the bat, a more positive initial step or a small change in his position could help him stay balanced and access his scoring shots.

Big Boundaries Contributed to India’s Middle-Order Wickets

India’s chase began at pace, with Samson and Abhishek Sharma giving the side an encouraging start during the powerplay. However, after Samson’s dismissal, India lost several wickets through the middle phase. Vihari felt the dimensions of the ground played a part in those dismissals.

Christchurch’s large boundaries can make ambitious shots riskier than they might be at smaller venues. A hit that would clear the rope elsewhere may instead find a fielder or fall short, particularly when a batter does not make perfect contact. Vihari said that shots attempted by Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma might have travelled for six on a more compact ground.

Abhishek Sharma was also dismissed while trying to attack. Vihari described such outcomes as part of the game rather than evidence that India had been under pressure throughout the chase. The distinction matters: India’s batters were still playing to win, but the ground’s size demanded careful calculation about when to target the boundary and when to take safer runs.

What to Watch in the Second T20I

The second T20I offers an immediate test of the issues raised after the opening match. New Zealand may look to use swing and movement to challenge Samson early, while India will want its top order to maintain the aggressive intent that helped launch the chase. How Samson responds to deliveries moving away from him could be one of the key individual contests of the game.

India’s middle order will also need to balance attack with awareness of the ground. On large boundaries, rotating the strike and choosing the right bowler to target can be just as important as hitting over the ropes. A measured approach could prevent a promising start from turning into a cluster of wickets.

Any prediction for the next match will depend on conditions, team selections and how both sides adapt to the first T20I. India’s successful chase gives the visitors confidence, while Vihari’s comments provide a useful tactical angle for New Zealand to consider. Samson has already shown that he can change a game quickly; the challenge now is to pair that attacking ability with precise footwork and smart shot selection when the ball moves.

For Indian fans, the key takeaway is that Samson’s 67 was both a match-winning contribution and a reminder of the fine margins in T20 cricket. His power and timing remain major assets, and addressing the technical concern identified by Vihari could make him even more difficult to contain as the series continues.