Rajkumar Sharma, Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, says Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson did not play bravely enough during India’s first ODI against New Zealand.
New Zealand won by seven wickets, having chased down 306 with 17 balls remaining.
Rajkumar Sharma on Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson
India was defeated by New Zealand by seven wickets in the opening One Day International at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday. The Indian spinners were unable to make an impression as Tom Latham and Kane Williamson put on an unbroken 221-run partnership to easily chase down the 307-run target.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson, according to Virat Kohli’s former coach Rajkumar Sharma, didn’t play fearlessly during India’s batting.
According to Sharma, Iyer and Samson were both under greater pressure to keep their places in the starting XI. He emphasized the importance of providing young players with a sense of security so that they can play without fear of losing their place.
“Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer are looking to cement their places in the side, which is why they were unable to play fearless cricket. The players these days are very insecure about their places,” he said.
“They should be given that confidence. We will see a difference in their approach once they don’t have that fear. When you are playing to save your place, you aren’t trying to win games for your side as you are somewhat playing selfish cricket,” he added.
During the game, Iyer stood out as one of the Men in Blue’s top batsmen, which is significant. To score 80 runs, the right-handed batsman required 76 balls. Samson, on the other hand, got 36 runs out of 38 deliveries. They contributed 94 runs in partnership for the fifth wicket.
Meanwhile, India attempted to level the series by winning the second ODI, but the weather in New Zealand thwarted all of their attempts, and the game was called off due to rain.
