Samson Backs Opening Duo, Credits Hope as India Brace for Series Decider

India captain Sanju Samson expressed faith in his top-order batters despite a 24-run loss to the West Indies in the fourth T20I at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on October 14, 2026. The visitors posted a formidable 248, powered by Shai Hope’s second T20I century in three matches, before bowling India out for 223 to level the five-match series at 2-2. The decider is scheduled for Bengaluru on October 17.

Samson acknowledged Hope’s exceptional form and the West Indies’ clinical execution. He highlighted the opener’s ability to dominate without reckless shot-making, crediting the batter for a disciplined approach that has troubled the Indian attack throughout the series.

“He (Hope) is playing really well, we need to respect what he has been doing. He has been playing some really good cricketing shots, not taking that much risk, so he is respecting the bowlers as well. We need to give the credit to him for the way he is batting and we are definitely switched on how to respond to him every game,” Samson said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Samson backs Kishan and Sharma despite mixed outing

The captain stood firmly behind his opening combination of Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma, despite their quiet evening in the fourth match. Both have been among the series’ most consistent performers, and Samson insisted a single off-game does not diminish their standing.

“Ishan (Kishan) and Abhishek Sharma are the world’s best top two batters, I think you cannot ask anything more out of them, one game is okay. [Abhishek] just scored a really good 70 [69] in the last game and Ishan is consistently scoring a lot of runs, so one game is totally fine,” Samson said.

Varma and Reddy partnership kept India in the chase

Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy added 70 runs for the sixth wicket, keeping the target within reach even after India lost half their side. Their composure under pressure underscored the depth of India’s middle order against a quality bowling attack.

“When Tilak (Varma) and (Nitish) Reddy were batting, we were still in the game. [They] were taking [on] the pressure moment and they were batting really well, so I think till that moment I think we were in the chase. I think that is a great thing to have actually, even after losing five wickets, having that kind of a control [with] two young cricketers taking on the pressure and taking on the West Indian bowling line-up,” Samson said.

The series finale in Bengaluru now carries heightened stakes after the West Indies dominated the fourth contest. Samson conveyed his side’s determination to compete in the winner-takes-all clash and paid tribute to the tourists’ quality.

“It all comes down to [the] Bangalore game now, we are very charged up, we want to go out there and compete against them. They have been playing some really great cricket, you need to give credit to the West Indian cricket, how they have come here in our home ground and dominated two games. Now it is a final, so let us see how it goes,” Samson concluded.

Source link