“You are making the same mistake here” - Former India cricketer’s huge statement on Sanju Samson after ENG vs IND 2026 2nd T20I

× Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif made a huge statement on Sanju Samson after the second T20I against England. Samson was dropped from the playing XI for Vaibhav Suryavanshi to make his debut. Ad Kaif reckoned that India were making the same mistake that they did in the initial part of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The Men in Blue opened with two left-handers in Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. As oppositions worked out to bowl off-spinners against left-handers and the batters were found wanting, India made the change by bringing in a right-hander in the form of Sanju Samson. With Abhishek and Vaibhav Suryavanshi opening in the second T20I, Kaif strongly felt that two left-handers opening would not be a great long-term choice.

Ad Trending "India is making the same mistake that they did in the World Cup. Ishan and Abhishek were opening. They got an off-spinner, and they started getting out.

Till they did not get a big defeat, Sanju was not playing. Here as well, when you lost to Ireland, you made changes. One right-hander and one left-hander is the right way to go, which we saw in the World Cup.

We were struggling against off-spinners. But with Sanju coming in, that got solved. You are making the same mistake here.

Abhishek and Vaibhav cannot be your long-term openers. You need to have a right-hander at the top," he said on his YouTube channel. Ad Sanju Samson failed to score in his last three games and faced the axe to bring Suryavanshi in.

However, Kaif reflected that a few bad innings did not make Samson a bad player. Going back to the point of two left-handers opening not being appropriate tactically, he added that either Abhishek or Suryavanshi would have to bat at number three with Samson opening. "Sanju may have gotten 2-3 bad innings, but that is how he plays.

Look at his career. He counters it and can make a big hundred. When he scores, he scores big.

There was pressure with Vaibhav sitting out, and they made that change. But two left-handers cannot be your openers tactically. You will have to bring Sanju in.

Either Abhishek or Vaibhav can play at three. There is no other choice. You will have to think long-term here.

You don't want a situation where we don't know where someone will play, or the player does not know whether he will play or not, and there is no role clarity," he expressed. Ad On debut, Suryavanshi made 14 runs off 10 balls. He hit two sixes and looked impressive despite having a short stay.

Mohammad Kaif highlights a key aspect for Indian captain to work on Mohammad Kaif also highlighted an important aspect that he believed India captain Shreyas Iyer would have to work on. In his four games as T20I captain so far, he has failed to secure a single win. Kaif reckoned that the confidence would surely have taken a hit.

Ad "It has been a very bad start. Everyone is shocked. It was a full-fledged team that played.

His sample size as a captain is a bit small still. The confidence will be down when you don't win as a captain. Surely he will have a doubt in his mind," he said.

He remarked that the biggest challenge would be to win games with the bowling. Kaif reckoned that Iyer would have to learn to utilise his bowlers well and be more proactive. Ad "But the biggest challenge for him will be winning games with his bowlers.

The one good thing he did was use Axar Patel well. But the problem is how he will use the other bowlers. He will have to learn to work with his bowlers.

He has not started well, but I want to see what he does with the bowlers and how proactive he is in the games to come," he added.India will aim to bounce back in the third T20I. It is a must-win situation for them to keep their hopes of winning the series alive.

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Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Rishab Vm Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif made a huge statement on Sanju Samson after the second T20I against England. Samson was dropped from the playing XI for Vaibhav Suryavanshi to make his debut. Ad Kaif reckoned that India were making the same mistake that they did in the initial part of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The Men in Blue opened with two left-handers in Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. As oppositions worked out to bowl off-spinners against left-handers and the batters were found wanting, India made the change by bringing in a right-hander in the form of Sanju Samson. With Abhishek and Vaibhav Suryavanshi opening in the second T20I, Kaif strongly felt that two left-handers opening would not be a great long-term choice.

Ad Trending "India is making the same mistake that they did in the World Cup. Ishan and Abhishek were opening. They got an off-spinner, and they started getting out.

Till they did not get a big defeat, Sanju was not playing. Here as well, when you lost to Irelan