Samson’s mind will start playing tricks if he keeps getting dismissed like this, says R Ashwin

Samson’s mind will start playing tricks if he keeps getting dismissed like this, says R Ashwin

Former India spinner R Ashwin expressed concern over Sanju Samson’s recent dismissals in the five-match T20I series against England, saying his “mind will be playing tricks”.

Samson scored 51 runs in the series opening the batting and got out on short balls trying to play the pull shot on all five occasions.

“…if Sanju keeps getting dismissed like this, as a batter, the mind will be playing tricks,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“(It will force you to think) the bowler is bowling a certain way, and I am getting dismissed like this, is the bowler bowling well or do I have a shortcoming? Will I be able to adapt? Once so many questions arise, then it becomes difficult,” he added.

Ashwin said that Samson should take responsive actions so that doubts don’t creep into his mind. He also cited Sachin Tendulkar’s advice during the recently held BCCI Naman awards where the master batter talked about use of subconscious mind.

“Sachin Tendulkar also said during the (BCCI) awards function that (you must) do so many repetitions that you allow the subconscious mind to take over.”

“But if so much confusion comes over on the subconscious mind, then batting becomes a different ball game altogether,” Ashwin said.