Indian opener Sanju Samsonexpressed confidence in his team's top-order batters despite a 24-run defeat to West Indies in the fourth T20I at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on October 14, 2026. West Indies posted 248 runs, with Shai Hope scoring his second T20I century in three games. India were bowled out for 223 in response, with the loss levelling the five-match series at 2-2 ahead of the final encounter in Bengaluru on October 17.
Samson acknowledged Hope's batting quality and the
West Indies' performance. He recognised the visiting team's composure and shot selection throughout their innings, particularly Hope's ability to balance aggression with respect for the bowlers.
"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
Samson backed his opening pair despite their mixed performance in the fourth match. Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma have been consistent performers throughout the series, and the captain remained confident in their abilities to deliver in the series decider.
"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 in partnership during India's chase, keeping the team in contention even after losing five wickets. Their composure under pressure demonstrated the depth available in India's middle order against quality bowling.
"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 decider in Bengaluru on October 17 took on added significance after West Indies dominated the fourth match at home. Samson expressed his team's determination to compete in the final encounter and acknowledged the quality of West Indian cricket on display.
"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.
