IND vs SL LIVE: Sanju Samson IND SL T20: Snubbed, dropped and benched, 2022 has been a mixed bag for Sanju Samson. The Rajasthan Royals captain is now looking forward to a better 2023 where he can finally cement his spot in the Indian team. While he will be disappointed not to get an ODI call-up, he will look to show his sparks in T20s. India vs SriLanka T20 series will be a crucial test for Samson. While the BCCI and the selectors are keen on giving him a longer rope, he still has to fight for a spot. His biggest competition will be Deepak Hooda and Rahul Tripathi. Follow India vs SriLanka LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
With consistent domestic performances, both have proven too good to ignore. Samson has proven that he is flexible and can do the job. He is a top-order batter, a middle-order option, a finisher and can even open besides keeping. But a crowded top-order means, Team India is considering Samson as a finisher in T20s. He needs to get a chance to prove himself.
“He’s got great skill. The nature of selection in international cricket is that you have to be ready to play out of position. You have to be flexible and Sanju has been. What Sanju has to do is control what he does in the middle when he gets a chance,” Kumar Sangakkara said.
IND vs SL LIVE: Will New Year Change Sanju Samson’s FATE in Team India? SNUBBED & DROPPED and BENCHED, RR captain seeks change in fortunes in SL series, Check OUT
Samson despite scoring well in limited chances has mostly been ignored. With Rishabh Pant still the No 1 wicketkeeper in Test and KL Rahul donning the big gloves in ODIs, chances are slim for Sanju to make it. Hence, T20 is the format where he has to cement his place.
“He is an excellent talent and has proven he is flexible with batting order. He has done everything he can and deserves a longer run. But there are also two other guys who are doing well. In such situations, it gets tricky. Rishabh is an asset in Tests. But we have to see the deserved players get their chances. It will be up to the team management’s call on inclusion. But surely, selectors will look to give him a longer run,” those in the knowhow of the developments told InsideSport.
| Rishabh Pant in 2022 | |||||||
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50/100 | HS |
| T20 | 6 | 5 | 129 | 44.75 | 158.4 | 1/0 | 77 |
| ODI | 10 | 9 | 284 | 71 | 105.57 | 2/0 | 86* |
IND vs SL: Why Sanju Samson deserves a longer run?
- Sanju Samson has been unlucky not to cement his place in Team India. Samson had looked promising with the limited opportunity presented to him.
- He was not picked for the T20 World Cup nor he toured with team India to Bangladesh tour.
- Samson is in good form in Ranji cricket having already scored three fifties.
- With Pant as well as KL Rahul struggling in the middle order in T20Is and ODIs, Samson’s attacking play might come in handy.
- With 17 ODIs to be played before the World Cup, Samson can be tried in the middle order or as a finisher.
While earlier selectors wanted Sanju to be consistent, all the Rajasthan Royals captain demands are consistent backing from them and the team management. Former India opener Wasim Jaffer too demanded the team management give him a longer run.
“I hope Sanju Samson is part of India squads for both T20I and ODI series against SL and NZ. And gets a consistent long run,” Jaffer said in a tweet.
IND vs SL LIVE: Will New Year Change Sanju Samson’s FATE in Team India? SNUBBED & DROPPED and BENCHED, RR captain seeks change in fortunes in SL series, Check OUT
His mentor at Rajasthan Royals Kumar Sangakkara also reiterated that Sanju must get a longer run.
“I’ve had lots of conversations with him. He takes a lot of pride in preparation and to play for India. I just hope they can give him a nice, extended run so that he can settle in. And not have the nagging suspicion that he may be dropped for the next match or the next series. That’s a tough place to be in for him or for anyone,” Sangakkara said.
India T20 Squad SL Series: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.
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