With just two matches under his belt in the ICC Cricket World Cup, BCCI Selection Committee wants Ishan Kishan to play in the IND vs AUS T20 series. It goes without saying that if Ishan is picked, he will be an important player in the India Playing XI. But that raises questions about Sanju Samson. Will he be snubbed again from India vs Australia T20 series if Ishan gets the nod? The squad will be out for the IND vs AUS T20 series on Monday.
Sanju Samson was the favourite to land a spot in the India Cricket Team for the Cricket World Cup. However, the selection committee as well as captain Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid opted for Suryakumar Yadav, ignoring Samson’s better numbers in ODIs.
For the Asian Games, selectors rewarded Jitesh Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh for their performances in the Indian Premier League.
Sanju Samson vs Ishan Kishan
With Ishan Kishan set for a comeback in T20s despite a string of poor shows, Sanju Samson’s place could be in danger. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the two designated openers. Hence, it will force Ishan Kishan to take the No 3 slot if he is picked.
As Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead the side in IND vs AUS T20 series, he will take up the No 4 slot. Then, there is a question for Tilak Varma, who is a left-hander.
If the team management prefers a left-hand batter and all-rounder in Tilak Varma at No 5 and Rinku Singh at No 6, there will be no place for Sanju Samson in the Playing XI.
Furthermore, with T20 World Cup 2024 just 7 months away, the India Cricket Team will officially begin preparations. And that could force the selectors to try out someone like Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube as explosive hitters.
| International (Last 12 months) | IPL 2023 | |||||||
| Player | Inn | Runs | Avg | SR | Inn | Runs | Avg | SR |
| Sanju Samson | 6 | 78 | 15.6 | 127.86 | 14 | 362 | 30.17 | 153.39 |
| Ishan Kishan | 10 | 143 | 14.3 | 95.33 | 16 | 454 | 30.27 | 142.77 |
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.
