Sanju Samson’s life gets tougher by the day. For most of his career, he’s been fighting for a spot in the Indian cricket team. During the period when Rishabh Pant was recovering from his incident, the Kerala batter received some opportunities. He made full use of them in ODIs, but success in the shortest format (T20Is) has evaded him. Despite being one of the better players in the last couple of years in the IPL, he’s failed to replicate that success when it comes to playing for Team India.
When Pant was out, he thrived. However, in March, Pant returned and reclaimed the wicketkeeper spot. Samson went across the Atlantic for the 2024 T20 World Cup, but just to carry the drinks. Pant has been playing in all formats since and has taken away Samson’s spot in ODIs, a format where he averages 56.
Earlier today reports suggested that Pant might be rested for the upcoming India vs Bangladesh T20Is. The 3-match series starts on October 6, just five days after the Test series ends. Pant has been playing nonstop since March, and the Indian management feels he needs to rest.
Kishan threatens Samson’s spot
That’s certainly good news for Samson. He desperately needs an opportunity to remind everyone how good he really is. The issue is, someone else might usurp him. Pant’s absence is going to help another wicketkeeper make a comeback. Ishan Kishan, who hasn’t played a match for India since November last year, could be the man who takes Pant’s place.
Following his return from South Africa, it’s all gone downhill. He hasn’t played for Team India since and has been axed from the BCCI central contract. Unlike Samson, he seems wasn’t played because he seemed to be at odds with the board. Now he’s course-corrected and returned to the domestic circuit after refusing to play the Ranji Trophy earlier in the year.
Ishan Kishan vs Sanju Samson: T20I record
| Inns | Runs | Avg | SR | 50s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kishan | 32 | 796 | 25.67 | 124.37 | 6 |
| Samson | 26 | 444 | 19.3 | 131.36 | 2 |
Doing well in the Duleep Trophy has helped him re-enter the chat. Just when Samson might have thought that he had a chance, another keeper who wasn’t in the fray for some time has re-emerged. Unluckily, both are top-order batters. Kishan is an opener by trade, and Samson usually plays at 3 or 4 but has opened quite a bit.
There is already tough competition in the middle order, and you already have the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya present in the middle order. From the looks of it, Kishan and Samson will have to battle out for the keeper spot. Who plays will depend on the management requirements and assessment of both.
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