“You’ve to stand with him” - Mohammad Kaif urges team management to stick with Sanju Samson as opener

Former Indian cricketer and analyst Mohammad Kaif has requested the Indian team management to stick with the keeper-batter Sanju Samson, who could score only 16 runs in three games against New Zealand in the ongoing five-match series.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Kaif asserted that though there might be discussions going on about Samson’s form, it’s high time that the team management needs to be behind him at this point in time.

“I am telling you, there might be discussions going on in the group or the camp, like he’s not scoring, should we drop him, all these things come to mind. But right now, you have to stand with him. Sanju Samson has scored three centuries. It’s not that he hasn’t proven himself. He is a proven player and he can play,” Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Furthermore, Kaif also provided an example of Suryakumar Yadav, who was out of form during the whole calendar year in 2025. However, SKY came back stronger with two consecutive half-centuries in the ongoing series against New Zealand.

“Look at Suryakumar Yadav. He was captain, out of form, but he had confidence in his game. He always used to say that I am not out of form. I am playing well, I am in touch, I am just out of runs. He always said this. Why did he say this? Because he had faith in his game. He knew that even if he gets one or two innings, he will get back on track. No batter reaches the number one ranking in ICC without proving themselves like that. He showed his skill and everyone respected him, praised him, saying what a player he is. The team kept giving him chances, even when he was out of form, and he made a comeback, scored, and got back into rhythm. The same thing will happen with Sanju Samson. I am telling you now,” he added.

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