Here Is Why Sanju Samson Does Not Deserve A Chance In India's T20 Team

Here Is Why Sanju Samson Does Not Deserve A Chance In India’s T20 Team

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In a nail-biting final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023, India, the cricket powerhouse, suffered a heart-wrenching defeat in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Despite an impeccable track record with 10 consecutive victories leading up to the final, India’s championship pursuit was thwarted as they could only manage a total of 240 runs. The batting display featured a commendable half-century from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, along with a quickfire start from Rohit Sharma. However, their efforts fell short in the face of an outstanding second inning performance by Australian batsman Travis Head, who secured victory with a remarkable 137 runs.

This loss echoed a similar setback faced by India in the ICC World Test Championship earlier in the year, where Travis Head had once again played a pivotal role in steering Australia to success. The defeat left the Indian players heartbroken, having invested their heart and soul in a near-perfect tournament, only to falter at the final hurdle.

As the dust settles from the World Cup defeat, team India is already gearing up. The focus now shifts to the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024, and the preparation kicks off with a T20 series against Australia on home turf. The Indian squad for this crucial series has been announced, and notably, Sanju Samson is conspicuously absent from the lineup.

Here Is Why Sanju Samson Does Not Deserve A Chance In India’s T20 Team

The exclusion of Sanju Samson from the squad has sparked widespread speculation and raised questions about the fairness of the selection process. Cricket analyst Madhav Sharma took to Twitter to shed light on the matter, stating, “In my honest opinion, Sanju Samson doesn’t deserve a place in India’s playing XI.” Sharma further justified this stance by pointing out that Ishan Kishan already serves as the first-choice keeper-batsman, and the imminent return of Rishabh Pant further diminishes Samson’s chances.

The primary contention revolves around the comparison between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, both vying for the coveted keeper-batsman role. While Samson has proven himself as a reliable player, Sharma argues that Kishan’s current form and performance make him the more deserving candidate.  Adding another layer to the selection dynamics is the impending return of Rishabh Pant. As one of the most dynamic wicketkeeper-batsmen in the world, Pant’s presence further complicates Samson’s bid for a spot in the playing XI. Pant has been out of competitive cricket since December 2022 after he suffered a horrific accident.