Ahead of the India-New Zealand fifth T20I, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan backed India opener Sanju Samson, saying Samson's earlier demotion to middle-order was "unfair". He added that it would be understandable if Samson doesn't score and team management replaces him with Ishan Kishan. Samson has scored 40 runs in four matches in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand.