India's Sanju Samson poor start; Pujara defends selection

India's Sanju Samson faced criticism after posting just 11 runs in the series opener against West Indies, prompting former Test great Cheteshwar Pujara to publicly defend his inclusion in the playing eleven. Speaking on 8 October, Pujara said that low scores in a couple of games should not raise doubts about Samson's role, especially considering his contributions to India's World Cup victory. He stated, 'I hope there is no pressure on him, because there shouldn't be any.' Pujara also reminded fans of Samson's three low scores—9, 7 and 2—during the 2026 Asian Games, underscoring that even top‑order batsmen can have off days. The veteran urged the coaching staff to send a supportive message, assuring Samson that he remains a key asset and can play freely without fearing selection cuts. He mentioned that Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be given a chance when appropriate, but the team should avoid constant reshuffles. Addressing the opening wicket of Abhishek Sharma, Pujara analysed the quick dismissal to off‑spinner Roston Chase on a spin‑friendly Lucknow pitch, noting that Sharma’s shot choice against the spinner was tentative and resulted in a long‑off finish. Pujara concluded that if Samson gets a few more innings, his form should improve markedly.