Time is running out for Sanju Samson. With Jitesh Sharma making it to IND vs IRE, Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will keep a close tab on both. Any slip-ups from Sanju could cost him India spot, especially with Rishabh Pant getting ready for a comeback. As for Jitesh, Asian Games 2023 and India vs Ireland will be great opportunity to stake a claim in the T20 side.
With scores of 12, 7 and 13 in the three games that he batted in the five-match T20 series against West Indies, Sanju Samson has himself invited trouble. One shouldn’t be surprised if Jitesh Sharma dons the big gloves. He could play as a designated finisher during the Ireland series beginning on Friday.
Samson is still best placed to become a reserve keeper in World Cup 2023. But in case KL Rahul can’t make it eventually his inconsistency for years will keep the selectors worried.
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IND vs IRE: Where does Sanju Samson fit in?
It is imperative that Samson gets a few more chances to make a case for a 50-over World Cup selection (although in T20s). But will the team think tank be able to fit both the glovesmen in the playing XI? A look at the squad will make one feel that it would be a tight case.
With Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal set to open and Tilak Varma will be at No 3 with Suryakumar Yadav absent. Sanju Samson has batted at No 3 for Rajasthan Royals on occasions during IPL. He could be tried in that position. But there is also Shivam Dube. The big-hitter has also been a floater. At Chennai Super Kings, he did well at that position under skipper MS Dhoni.
On top of it, Dube is the team’s seam-bowling all-rounder. Although he is not even close to Hardik Pandya when it comes to rolling his arms over, his all-rounder skills will make him a contender.
To accommodate Sanju Samson in all the games, one among Jitesh and the equally exciting Rinku Singh will miss out.
Indian T20 team as well as the ODI squad need good middle-order finishers. Captain Bumrah and stand-in coach Sitanshu Kota wouldn’t want to lose out on that chance.
Will Jitesh Sharma get a go?
The 29-year-old from Maharashtra will be India’s first-choice keeper ahead of Prabhsimran Singh in Asian Games 2023. Before an important event, it is only fair that he gets to play a few international games. Jitesh performs the tough role of a finisher for Punjab Kings at No 5 or 6 in IPL. It is not an easy job to mentally condition yourself to play only 15 to 20 balls per game.
Hence, Jitesh will get game time. But if he does, where would Sanju play?
– With PTI inputs
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