After wasting a golden opportunity in IND vs SL 2nd T20, Sanju Samson will have to wait for an update on Shubman Gill’s injury status to understand his fate in the 3rd T20 on Tuesday. With Gill out with a back spasm, Samson got a rare chance to impress the new coach Gautam Gambhir, who raved about the Kerala star so much on social media. However, with a golden duck, Samson could not save his face or the faces of his fan brigade who still keep fighting for him on social media. But the fact is, if Gill recovers in time, Sanju will once again carry drinks and it won’t be injustice.
Shubman Gill is still unfit and could be a doubtful starter for the 3rd T20 in Pallekele. However, that does not guarantee Sanju Samson a spot. In the dead rubber, Gambhir could try out the bench warmers.
Is there a place for Sanju Samson?
To make a case for Sanju Samson, it’s true that he has yet to understand his role in the team. In the last three matches, Samson has batted at No 5, No 4 and opened the innings. He has been a slogger, he has been a finisher and an opener. Hence, the question is: where does he fit in?
The shortest answer is: wherever an opportunity opens up. The fact that the team is not built around Samson unlike Rajasthan Royals creates many issues. Samson’s ideal batting position is No 3. He could never get the No 3 slot with Virat Kohli present. He can’t get it now with Suryakumar Yadav slotted in at No 3.
Hence, to put it bluntly, Sanju Samson will have to play the bits and pieces role. And he has to excel in every opportunity that comes his way. In IND vs SL 3rd T20, it may come his way considering he has only played a delivery. With Shubman Gill set to play the three-match ODI series, Gautam Gambhir may give Samson another go.
But fail again and that rarest of the rare opportunities may just evaporate with Abhishek Sharma also breathing down on his neck. To make things worse for Samson, Rishabh Pant remains the first-choice wicketkeeper in all three formats as long as he is fit. And as Yashasvi Jaiswal has done, Samson must grab every opportunity that comes his way.
What’s up with Shubman Gill?
Shubman Gill became the first casualty of the Gautam Gambhir era. He suffered a back spasm ahead of the IND vs SL 2nd T20. The team management will take a call on Gill’s return based on updates on the match day. However, Gill might just take a rest to be fresh for the ODI series.
While his T20I stats are not terrific, averaging just 25.92 in the last 12 months, Shubman Gill is the vice-captain. And if he recovers, he plays the 3rd T20, pushing Sanju Samson to the bench once again even though the India vs Sri Lanka series is already clinched.
India squad for Sri Lanka T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj
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