Sanju Samson Highlights Key Moment in India's T20I Loss to West Indies
Turning Point in the Match
In Hyderabad, Indian wicketkeeper and batter Sanju Samson pinpointed Tilak Varma's dismissal as a pivotal moment in India's 24-run loss to the West Indies during the fourth T20I. Despite losing five wickets, India was in a strong position in their chase, thanks to Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who were scoring steadily.
Samson praised the young players for their composure under pressure while facing the West Indies bowling attack.
West Indies secured a 24-run victory, propelled by Shai Hope's impressive century and Keemo Paul's five-wicket haul in the fourth T20I of the five-match series held in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
While chasing a daunting target of 248 runs on a newly relaid pitch, India found themselves at 130/5 by the 12th over. However, Varma and Reddy's spirited partnership reignited their hopes.
The duo managed to reduce the target to 48 runs needed off 19 balls, keeping India in the game until Romario Shepherd dismissed Varma, marking a significant turning point.
"The match changed when Tilak got out. We were scoring at a good pace, around 10-12 runs per over. Reddy and Tilak were handling the pressure well. Until that point, we were in a good position to chase down the target. It's impressive to see young players manage the pressure against the West Indies bowling attack," Samson remarked to reporters post-match.
Samson, who scored a rapid 56 runs off 23 balls, expressed his disappointment over the loss, despite enjoying his innings. He emphasized that chasing a large total requires trusting one's instincts and power-hitting skills, and he wished to have emerged victorious.
"Everything feels different when you lose, so I'm feeling a bit down right now. I wanted to win. I enjoyed my time at the crease. When chasing a big score, you have to trust your instincts and play aggressively, which is what I did. I enjoyed my innings, but I would have preferred to win," he stated.
With this victory, the series is now tied at 2-2, setting the stage for an exciting decider at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17.