The world number 1 T20 batsman Suryakumar Yadav failed to live up to his expectations after a slow-paced knock at the World Cup 2023 finals. SKY managed to score just 18 runs off 28 balls, right when the team needed him the most. Having put in to bat first, no Indian batter apart from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could boast of a good knock with the bat.
A T20 specialist and considered one of the quickfire batters, Suryakumar Yadav failed to contribute with the bat during IND vs AUS. The right-handed batter had just one boundary to his name in the finals of the World Cup 2023 against Australia in Ahmedabad. With such a low score in a must-win game for India, speculations rise about SKY’s future in India’s ODI team and if Sanju Samson could be a potential replacement.
Sanju Samson in, SKY out after World Cup 2023 final debacle?
Indian wicketkeeper Sanju Samson has consistently been on the wrong side in terms of selection for the national side. Despite coming off commendable performances, Samson has been snubbed constantly when it comes to the big stage. Suryakumar Yadav’s performance in the World Cup 2023 finals might pave a path for Sanju Samson to be included in the Men in Blue’s T20 series against Australia.
Is Samson’s place in danger?
To put it bluntly, it is a straight fight between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson until Rishabh Pant returns to competitive cricket. Ishan Kishan has the team management’s trust and they consider him as a long-term option.
With Sanju Samson, things have never been clear. The team management did not assure him of a spot in the squad and neither in the playing XI. There was no preferred slot for him to bat either. And as he is not an all-rounder, it has been a hard time for the Kerala captain.
Last month, a senior BCCI official told InsideSport that Sanju Samson was being considered for the series.
“Ther is time. Some of the guys will get a break after World Cup. And yes, it will be an opportunity for someone like Ruturaj or Yashasvi or Sanju to do well and cement their place. It’s up to the selectors who they want to see in that team,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.