Once again Sanju Samson is left stranded at a perilious postion that has the batter left with no choice to perform with just limited opportunities in hand. The Kerala keeper-batter has two more games left in hand before he faces the potential risk of losing his place from the squad, forget the XI.
The veteran, who was picked ahead of Jitesh Sharma for IND vs BAN 1st T20I in Gwalior, did put up a good show with the bat, displaying promising signs as an opener. Yet, Samson would need more than just those promising starts just to remain in contention for a spot which is nearly impossible for him the secure.
Sanju Samson races against time to stay in fray for T20Is
Two games remain for Samson in the ongoing IND vs BAN series to prove his mettle, unless he is dropped for Jitesh Sharma. With India’s first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is poised to make his return to the side for the first time since the T20 World Cup win in the SA T20Is, time is running out of Samson’s hands to make the cut. It isn’t an unknown fact that the selectors would prefer Pant over Samson on any given day, backing the southpaw’s ability with both bat and the gloves.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Dismissals |
| Rishabh Pant | 76 | 1209 | 51 |
| Sanju Samson | 31 | 473 | 23 |
After warming the bench through the whole T20 World Cup, Sanju Samson was named a part of a young side that visited ZIM and SL while the seniors were rested. He found his way into the squad for IND vs BAN T20Is, once again primarily because India’s first-choice keeper is on a break as a part of the team’s workload management.
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Samson is no stranger to the opener’s role and has in fact tasted success batting up the order. His highest score of 77 in the shortest format is in fact from an innings in which he opened. And Samson sure did show promising signs of his beauty as an opener in the game at Gwalior. Well, that grace and style will certainly not be a part of India’s game plan, especially with the explosive start that they seek. The Kerala batter will have to go out all guns blazing if he has to leave a mark on the selectors. Unlike his 19-ball 29-run knock in Gwalior, Samson would have to pick up the pace in the remainder of the two T20Is if he wants to be in contention for a spot in India’s XI. The four-match IND vs SA T20I series will begin from November 8.
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