After playing some thrilling shots in the second T20I against Sri Lanka and scoring a crucial 39-run knock on Saturday, Sanju Samson once again flattered to deceive in the third T20I on Sunday in Dharamsala.
The highly talented and highly rated Samson was dismissed for 18 runs off 12 balls by Chamika Karunaratne, loosely edging behind to wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal in the chase of 147.
It was a great opportunity for Samson to play a long innings and prove that he belongs at the international level when he was asked to open alongside Rohit Sharma in absence of the injured Ishan Kishan while chasing a mediocre target. However, it wasn’t to be today.
Samson was off the strike for most of the first four overs, in which he saw a rare disconcerting innings from Sharma before being eventually dismissed for 5 and then Shreyas Iyer continue his free-flowing form and stroke a few sublime boundaries. Samson had faced only 4 balls for 3 singles in the first four overs.
It was much similar to the last game where Iyer had taken the pressure off Samson with his power-hitting when the latter was struggling for timing at 17 runs off 19 balls before hammering some poor slot and length balls from Kumara.
Today, he was almost bowled from Chameera while missing a slog before lofting one over mid-on for his first boundary of the night. In the next over, he guided a Binura Fernando full toss for another four towards third man.
On the first ball of the seventh over, Samson cut Karunaratne for his third boundary, however, the pacer had his revenge with a full ball that seamed away a bit taking Samson’s outside edge, this ending his stay.
While India would later comfortably go past the target without any major hiccups ensured by another outstanding fifty from Shreyas Iyer, Samson didn’t move pillars with the two innings in this series to force the management to consider him further. He could be dropped, and that would be totally justified given that he hasn’t grabbed his opportunities – though few and far between – while others have.
Fans had their own say regarding Sanju Samson’s international career:
Another golden opportunity missed by Samson. Really doesn’t belong to this level.
— tea_addict ?? (@on_drive23) February 27, 2022
It will became harder and harder for Sanju Samson to get more chances #SanjuSamson #INDvSL #CricketTwitter
— Rahulbhatia (@Rahul13bh) February 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/shankaran_5/status/1497976881471098881
I keep on reading Sanju Samson play with lot of fear as he is not a permanent member in the team. However, where he is a permanent member waha bhi to nahi khelta hai.. to kidher show karta hai apna talent? I am consider. #CricbuzzLive #samson
— Ashay Pahadia (@PahadiaAshay) February 27, 2022
Sanju samson is just useless!!!
Even this attack he cant play..last match also two dropped catches to score 39 runs..Look at his overall stats..Pathetic!!! Ishan kishan all time best to keep wickets for india#INDvSL @SGanguly99 @rawatrahul9 @vikrantgupta73— mogambokushhua (@mogambokushhua3) February 27, 2022
#SanjuSamson he should out of indian squad. He only deserved to play ipl not international cricket. When today was chance up to play a big knock he just gifted away his wicket after a good start it’s better to look at Ruturaj as backup
— Ujjwal Kumar?? (@kumarujjwal71) February 27, 2022
I am not sure why Sanju Samson is getting so much hatred that his career is over etc. I think he batted well and brought up another 40+ partnership with Iyer. He did not get out to some loose ball like last match. He needs support like any other#SanjuSamson #IndianCricketTeam
— unOfficialRRanalyst~ (@RRanalyst) February 27, 2022
Sanju Samson is our indian version Umar Akmal . Everybody talks about the talent but but the result on international cricket ?
— Nazmul Hussain (@NazmulH38969105) February 27, 2022
Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah Shared The Details Of Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy For The First Time
