Sanju Samson was trending on Sunday evening in India. Well, he was. And the reason you can probably predict without much context, something that has been for the past few years: he was not included in India’s eleven for the first T20I versus Ireland in Dublin.
The furore wasn’t this much when he was not included in the squad for the recently 5-T20I series versus South Africa. He got back in for the Ireland squad as Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer linked up with the Test squad in England.
Suryakumar Yadav was the incumbent who slotted in straight away in the line-up after missing the South Africa series due to injury. However, it was Deepak Hooda who was preferred over Samson in the eleven today.
Hooda preferred over Sanju Samson by Team India
Sanju Samson had a good IPL season, but nothing earth-shattering. 458 runs in 17 matches, an average of 28, and a strike rate of 146 with two fifty-plus scores.
Apart from Samson returning to the T20I squad, the selectors had also called up Rahul Tripathi for the first time. Tripathi had hammered 413 runs in 14 matches at an average of 37 and strike rate of 158 with three fifties.
Deepak Hooda had made his T20I debut earlier in the year versus Sri Lanka and was part of the South Africa series but didn’t get a game. The Lucknow Super Giants batter had scored 451 runs in 14 innings at an average of 32 and strike rate of 132 with four half-centuries while also batting below number 3 and 4. Hooda also offered the option of off-spin against left-handers, a much-needed option when India play a leg-spinner in Chahal and left-arm orthodox in Axar.
And while it seems only fair, and predictable, that Suryakumar and Hooda get in the eleven ahead of Samson, some fans felt that the Kerala batsman should have played and expressed their disappointment. For the record: Samson has failed to grab most of his chances in the national team so far: 13 T20Is, average of 14 with a strike rate of 121.
Here are the reactions of unhappy fans with Samson’s exclusion:
It’s sad that Sanju Samson can’t find a place in the 2nd X1 of the Indian team after showing his skill year after year in IPL.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 26, 2022
At this rate Sanju Samson will be the next Presidential candidate of India
— Varun (@wizardrincewind) June 26, 2022
All this hype to not give Samson a chance
— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) June 26, 2022
Sanju Samson still can’t find a place in this team. He will be first person deserves to get in the team. @BCCI racism at its peak.
— EBIN VARGHESE (@ebin_varghese7) June 26, 2022
VVS making ISD to Dravid.
VVS: dai samson or tripathi suggest one
Voice broke in between so #jammysir couldn’t hear #jammysir : who da?
VVS: ok da bye
— AD (@cricadharsh) June 26, 2022
Sanju Samson isn’t good enough to play in a 2nd india 11 now ?
He’s literally much better t20 player than some Indian batsman who r going to feature in wc
U can’t expect him to avg 50
He isn’t some kind of statpadder
Plays t20 the way it should be played .
wtf #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/P28UDKbV0f— Jaish (@Jaishthebest) June 26, 2022
Sanju Samson not getting chance even though Pant is rested. Racism is real man. Blacks are treated unfairly
— 𝐍 𝐈 𝐓 𝐈 𝐍 (@LMxVK_) June 26, 2022
Why are the team members and the captain not giving Sanju Samson a chance to play the match? #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/QREYK9L7k6
— Arnav (@imarnav_904) June 26, 2022
1 like = 1 slap on their face for not including Sanju Samson
#SanjuSamson#INDvsIRE pic.twitter.com/8LssRhPeMH
— Tejas (@cricket__143) June 26, 2022
Yesterday there was a news that Sanju Samson will play the 1st T20 so today some ex cricketers are busy their posting their playing 11 for the day,finally their agenda is fulfilled,Samson isn’t starting. #INDvsIRE pic.twitter.com/Azol0qQphN
— Anurag (@RightGaps) June 26, 2022
Just because Sanju Samson is not from north Not in indian team #SanjuSamson #BCCI pic.twitter.com/v2Fs5AKGn1
— Mahi Bhai (Sanjusamson Fan
) (@Sanjusamsonf11) Sanju Samson is already trending even though its only been 15 minutes after the playing IX has been announced.What a fan base this man has. Adipolli
#SanjuSamson #IREvIND— Cricket Collin (@Jiksonjohny1) June 26, 2022
This man deserves a permanent place in Indian team in ODI and T20…..But……#samson #sanjusamson pic.twitter.com/m2PVxjk1QN
— Venkatesh Masilamani (@KingMak56353422) June 26, 2022
You need to consult a psychiatrist If you still think BCCI doesn’t play politics when it comes to include Sanju Samson #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/ApczR31Vjp
— ANUJ TIWARY
(@emanujtiwary) Looks like the rain god’s are seeing the injustice happening to Sanju Samson.
— Heisenberg
(@internetumpire) 
