Sanju Samson was visibly distraught when his Rajasthan Royals teammate Shimron Hetmyer completed a regulation catch at mid-off. The 28-year-old was on his haunches and walked away while heaving his bat angrily. Samson, who had smashed 51 before being dismissed, it was a chance to convert his knock into a big one. While he failed to do so, there was enough evidence to push himself in the thoughts of Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar before the World Cup 2023.
On Tuesday, in what is his last chance to make a claim for a World Cup 2023 spot, Sanju Samson batted in his true style. Off the very second ball, he smashed Yannick Cariah for a maximum. He proceeded to hit three more during the course of his innings with no airs of grace about his approach. Having struggled against spin just a couple of days earlier, here Samson was stepping out to clear the fence against the turn.
The reality of watching Sanju Samson bat is you never have enough of him. A player with classy elegance with brute power and the gift of timing, Sanju is the quintessential T20I player. Over the years, the Kerala-born keeper has tempered his game to suit ODIs, an approach that has reaped rewards.
But as is the case with Sanju, his heroics are never enough. He first made an international appearance in 2015 and in the 8 years since has managed a combined 30 games. The IND vs WI 3rd ODI was just his 13th ODI and just his second this year. It is the first time Sanju has had two consecutive games in ODIs since the South Africa series last year.
The 28-year-old took little time to read the conditions on offer in Trinidad. He launched his attack on the WI bowlers, in quite the T20 style batting to further exert India’s dominance. 51 off 41 balls. 2 fours, 4 sixes at a strike rate of 125. Rahul Dravid & Rohit Sharma have been hoping for a middle-order impetus. But it was Samson not Surya who held his hand up.
It begs the question: Would Sanju Samson be a better pick heading into the Asia Cup 2023 & the World Cup? The Rajasthan Royals skipper has developed an ardent following through his years in the IPL. But what Sanju Samson or his battalion of fans think is hardly of consequence. Dravid & Agarkar will take that call in the next two weeks, and whether or not Samson makes the team is anyone’s guess. The SKY is far from clear.
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