Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opined that Sanju Samson has never been consistent. In the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, Samson has returned with scores of 10, 6, and 0 and hasn’t been able to deliver the goods at the top of the order.

Samson has scored 1048 runs in 55 T20Is at an average of 24.37 and a strike rate of 147.61. The Kerala batter would want to get back to his best ahead of the T20 World Cup.

On the other hand, Ishan Kishan has grabbed his opportunity with both hands at number three in the absence of Tilak Varma. Kishan has returned with 8, 76, and 28 in the three games against the Kiwis.

Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “I also said Sanju Samson is a fantastic player but not consistent. We have to accept he was never consistent. He is a quality player but his inconsistency was visible in all three games. Samson is inconsistent and he might score runs if given a chance in the next game. He will be in pressure because Ishan Kishan has scored runs and placed himself as a contender, showing the value of domestic cricket.”

Pathan said Samson is not in form and it is palpable in the T20I series.

“Sanju Samson is not in form and it’s very noticeable. It’s unfortunate for him and he was doing very well once. Then Shubman Gill came. He dropped down the order and found himself out of the side. Now Samson is searching for form. If the form doesn’t come, Tilak Varma also comes back and Samson could lose his spot.”

“The reason Ishan Kishan was brought into the team was if any player doesn’t perform at the top, so Samson could be replaced. Kishan is in form, so pressure will be there. There has to be justice. Samson performs and no one raises questions. I know team runs on performance and when Samson gets an opportunity, he performs.”

The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.