India Squad SL Series: India vs SriLanka LIVE: Snubbed from T20s and then from ODIs, Sanju Samson gets a longer run. The BCCI and the selectors — at least the outgoing ones — have decided to give Kerala captain a longer run in T20 format. He has returned to Team India fold in the T20 series vs SriLanka. The selectors in their note have said he should also be picked for NewZealand and subsequent series: Follow IND vs SL LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
India Squad SL Series: SACKED selectors make EXPLOSIVE changes, KL Rahul dropped as…
India Squad SL Series: BCCI & Selectors GIVES Sanju Samson longer rope in T20s in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s absence, Follow IND vs SL LIVE Updates
India’s squad for Sri Lanka T20Is: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.
India’s squad for Sri Lanka ODIs: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.
Samson despite scoring well in limited chances has mostly been ignored. With Rishabh Pant still the No 1 wicketkeeper in Test and KL Rahul donning the big gloves in ODIs, chances are slim for Sanju to make it. Hence, T20 is the format where he has to cement his place.
“He is an excellent talent and has proven he is flexible with batting order. He has done everything he can and deserves a longer run. But there are also two other guys who are doing well. In such situations, it gets tricky. Rishabh is an asset in Tests. But we have to see the deserved players get their chances. It will be up to the team management’s call on inclusion. But surely, selectors will look to give him a longer run,” those in the knowhow of the developments told InsideSport.
India Squad SL Series: BCCI & Selectors keen to give Sanju Samson longer rope in T20s in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s absence, Follow IND vs SL LIVE Updates
IND vs SL: Why Sanju Samson deserves a longer run?
- Sanju Samson has been unlucky not to cement his place in Team India. Samson had looked promising with the limited opportunity presented to him.
- He was not picked for the T20 World Cup nor he toured with team India to Bangladesh tour.
- Samson is in good form in Ranji cricket having already scored three fifties.
- With Pant as well as KL Rahul struggling in the middle order in T20Is and ODIs, Samson’s attacking play might come in handy.
- With 17 ODIs to be played before the World Cup, Samson can be tried in the middle order or as a finisher.
While earlier selectors wanted Sanju to be consistent, all the Rajasthan Royals captain demands are consistent backing from them and the team management. Former India opener Wasim Jaffer too demanded the team management give him a longer run.
“I hope Sanju Samson is part of India squads for both T20I and ODI series against SL and NZ. And gets a consistent long run,” Jaffer said in a tweet.
As for team selection, the outgoing selection committee will announce the squads for SriLanka series by Tuesday. Hardik Pandya will lead with Rohit Sharma out injured.
India Squad SL Series: BCCI & Selectors keen to give Sanju Samson longer rope in T20s in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s absence, Follow IND vs SL LIVE Updates
| Battle for spots among wicketkeepers in T20s | ||||||
| Players | Matches | Innings | Runs | Strike Rate | Avg | 50/100 |
| Rishabh Pant | 25 | 21 | 364 | 132.84 | 21.41 | 1/0 |
| Ishan Kishan | 16 | 16 | 476 | 127.95 | 29.75 | 3/0 |
| Sanju Samson | 6 | 5 | 179 | 158.4 | 44.75 | 1/0 |
IND vs SL T20I & ODI series
- India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I: January 3rd in Mumbai
- India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I: January 5th in Pune
- India vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I: January 7th in Rajkot
- India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI: January 10th in Guwahati
- India vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI: January 12th in Kolkata
- India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI: January 15th in Thiruvananthapuram
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