Sanju Samson is facing a race against time as the Asia Cup approaches, with Pakistan having already announced their squad and India expected to reveal theirs soon. Samson has two remaining T20Is against the West Indies to sway the selectors in his favor for a spot in India’s Asia Cup team and even potentially secure his place in the World Cup 2023 squad.
The attention on both Samson and Suryakumar Yadav has intensified due to uncertainties surrounding the availability of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. While Rahul’s recent progress suggests he could be the preferred keeper-batter for both tournaments, Iyer’s status as the No.4 choice is uncertain, especially for the Asia Cup.
Both Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson find themselves in a crucial position. While their performances in ODIs have been inconsistent, Suryakumar Yadav holds an advantage due to his stronger T20I performances.
This is why Samson must capitalize on the opportunities he receives. Up until now, aside from a brisk fifty in the third ODI, Samson’s contributions have been limited.
His recent record against the West Indies, comprising four innings – two ODIs and two T20Is – with scores of 9, 51, 12, and 7, might not suffice to secure his place in the Asia Cup and World Cup squads.
Danish Kaneria, a former Pakistan leg-spinner, echoes the sentiments of many cricket followers, expressing disappointment in Samson’s inconsistency. Kaneria stressed that Samson, despite his considerable talent, needs to translate it into consistent scoring, especially given his numerous chances.
Danish Kaneria, in his YouTube channel, pointed out that the decision to rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli was made to offer others opportunities, considering the complaints about some players not getting enough chances.
Kaneria raised questions about Sanju Samson’s performance, noting, “Now that India has played them, when are you going to score runs, Sanju Samson?” He expressed his disappointment by stating that Samson has received ample chances, and despite his potential, he hasn’t capitalized on them.
In the third T20I in Guyana, Samson was assigned the gloves while Ishan Kishan was rested and Yashasvi Jaiswal made his debut. Samson’s wicketkeeping, however, didn’t meet expectations, as he struggled against Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, fumbling on a few occasions.
Sanju Samson, the talented batsman from Kerala, will likely aim to make a strong impression in the upcoming fourth T20I in Florida. The Indian team management might consider promoting Samson up the batting order to provide him with more opportunities to display his skills.
In the current T20I series, he has been batting at No.6, a position that seems somewhat lower than his usual standards. By elevating his batting position, the team can maximize his chances to contribute effectively.
