It was double hundred in Vijay Hazare Trophy back in 2019 that reestablished Sanju Samson as a player to monitor. And now, with IND vs SA ODI series coming up, Sanju Samson has hit another ton inkerala vs railways cricket match to put the team management at notice. It is going to be another make-or-break series for Sanju Samson before IPL 2024 begins in March.
With Kerala reeling at 59/4, Sanju Samson steered the Kerala ship against Railways with a sublime 139-ball 128. His 138-run stand with Shreyas Gopal (53) took Kerala to 237/8. However, his efforts were not enough as Kerala suffered an 18-run loss to Railways.
Focus on Sanju Samson
With no place in IND vs SA T20I series in a T20 World Cup cycle, Sanju Samson was only picked for the IND vs SA ODI series.
It was the same format where Samson faced a snub in ahead of Cricket World Cup 2023. However, he is back in the same 50-over game where he needs to prove his mettle to woo the selectors for a slot in the T20 squad.
While Vijay Hazare Trophy won’t be the selection criteria, he will be confident of a good show in the India vs South Africa ODI series, provided he gets a game.
And he is warming up with a middle-order role for Kerala. If he gets a game, Sanju Samson will get to play at No 6 for India after KL Rahul.
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers said the conditions would help him and it should be a good series for him.
“It’s great to see him in the team. He will enjoy the South African wickets. He stands tall when he bats. There’s a bit of bounce and movement and all the batters will be tested. But someone like Sanju, I think, will do well. And he also gives you an option with the gloves,” AB de Villiers explained on his YouTube channel.
But it will be the IPL 2024 which will be his proving ground. With not many T20Is left before the T20 World Cup 2024, he will need to make the opportunities count. And even short powerful innings won’t cut it. He will need to break down the door with some big knocks like one against Railways on Tuesday.
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