Oh Sanju, what have you done? One of the most promising cricketers of the current generation has a tag: Mr Inconsistent. The IND vs WI series was his ticket to World Cup 2023. But with just 1 fifty in five innings, Sanju Samson has bottled his golden opportunity with Shreyas Iyer still recovering from injury. A superstar for some, only a miracle can help him enter the Asia Cup 2023 and WC squads after scoring 9, 51, 12, 7 & 13 in India vs West Indies series across ODIs and T20Is.
With Shreyas Iyer close to recovery, Sanju Samson will be condemned even though his cult-like support base will shout injustice.
The fact is, Sanju Samson, was fighting for a spot against Suryakumar Yadav. Even though he has the numbers in ODIs to back his claim, he does not have the X-Factor SKY offers in ODIs. Yes, the Mumbaikar has failed repeatedly in the 50-over format. But his outlandish innings in T20s have backed his claim.
For Sanju, numbers alone in ODIs won’t make things any easy. He has been fighting against the tag of Mr Inconsistent. Yet, he has fallen into the same trap. He is inconsistent in the first series where he has played all the games.
With Ishan Kishan making his opportunities count and KL Rahul close to 100% match fitness, Sanju is now a surplus as the two will take up the wicketkeeper-batters’ slots.
Why Sanju Samson could miss WC ticket?
- Despite all the talent and stats in ODIs, Sanju Samson had to show it in IND vs WI.
- He could only play an impressive knock of 51 in the third ODI.
- However, the manner of his dismissal raised concerns.
- In the T20I series, he failed to notch up any 50+ scores and rather struggled.
- His scores of 12, 7 and 13 did not help the cause.
- Selectors wanted to see temperament and he did not show that.
- Selectors’ favourites Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan made their marks in T20Is and ODIs.
- Sanju was on the edge and with SKY and Ishan grabbing their chances, the Kerala superstar is unlikely to make it to the Asia Cup 2023 squad.
