In a bid to resurrect his international career, Sanju Samson has touched down on South African shores for the upcoming ODI series against the Proteas. The talented middle-order batter, hailing from Kerala, is determined to showcase his mettle and secure a permanent spot in the Indian cricket team. India vs South Africa (IND vs SA) ODI series is set to commence on December 17.
Sanju Samson’s last on-field appearance was donning the Kerala jersey in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023, where he contributed to his team’s campaign. Now, with the national colors beckoning, the batsman is gearing up for a crucial series, eyeing not just personal redemption but also setting the stage for the T20 World Cup in 2024.
Regrettably for Sanju Samson, his performance hasn’t reached its peak in the domestic 50-over competition. Despite being Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 top scorer with 293 runs, he didn’t secure a spot among the top 20 run-scorers in the tournament. Despite notching up a century and a fifty in eight innings, his average remained below 50.
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Sanju Samson journey and ambitions
Over the past eight years, Sanju Samson has navigated a path marked by flashes of brilliance but hindered by inconsistent opportunities.
Despite earning an early call-up to the Indian Cricket Team at the age of 20, the Kerala and Rajasthan Royals captain faced setbacks and was eventually dropped.
Role clarity and forward focus
The absence of role clarity within the Indian setup contributed to Samson’s fluctuating positions in the batting order. In T20Is and ODIs alike, he found himself batting across various positions without a defined role.
However, undeterred by past challenges, Sanju Samson is now focused on making an impact in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and building momentum for IPL 2024.
Path to T20 World Cup 2024
While not currently in the national selectors’ immediate plans, Samson’s resilient spirit and commitment to performance hint at a potential resurgence. A standout show in the upcoming IPL season could pave the way for a surprise inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad in 2024.
As Sanju Samson takes center stage in the IND vs SA ODI series, cricket enthusiasts await a resurgence from the talented batter, who seeks not only personal redemption but also a redefined role within the Indian cricketing landscape.
India squad for IND vs SA ODIs
The Indian squad features a dynamic mix of players, including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and the experienced Sanju Samson.
India’s squad for 3 ODIs: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (C)(wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, and Deepak Chahar.
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