Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra has said that the Mumbai Indians team management’s decision to promote Daniel Sams to number three in the batting lineup was beyond his understanding. Sams has done well in the bowling department for the Mumbai Indians this season, but he failed to make any impact while batting at number three for the franchise.
He has batted at different positions in the Big Bash League of Australia, but Aakash Chopra reminded Mumbai Indians that this is not BBL. The competition level in the Indian Premier League is a higher level, which is why only the proper batters may achieve success in the top order.
Speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of the match between the Mumbai Indians and SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022, Aakash Chopra said:
“With playoff qualification out of the question, Mumbai is trying various things. They even gave a chance to Tristan Stubbs. But sending Daniel Sams in at three was beyond my understanding. My suggestion to Mumbai is don’t send him at No. 3, this is IPL not BBL. Tilak Varma has been batting really well. Hopefully, he continues his good run.”
Daniel Sams has not touched double digits in his last five IPL innings
Sams did an excellent job for the Mumbai Indians with the ball in their battle against the Chennai Super Kings as he bowled a spell of 3/16. The left-arm fast bowler took the important wickets and gave a splendid start to the Mumbai-based franchise which helped them bundle out their opponents for less than 100 runs.
However, when the team management sent him to bat at number three, Sams could score only a solitary run off six deliveries. Looking at the way he performed against CSK, it seems unlikely that the Mumbai Indians would use him as a number three batter again.
