Kerala and Rajasthan Royals starman Sanju Samson finally got his opportunity to don the India blues once again as he was picked in the XI for the second ODI against the West Indies, on Saturday in Barbados.
Sanju Samson had last played for India in early January this year in a T20I, while his last ODI appearance came in November 2022.
This inclusion in the side for the 2nd ODI came on the back of India deciding to rest their two star-players – skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for this match. In the first ODI as well, both the senior batters were demoted to the lower order: Rohit came out to bat at number 7 in the last moments of the small chase of 115 while Kohli didn’t even bat.
With the West Indies unlikely to pose any real threat to the side – Shai Hope’s team even failed to reach the World Cup 2023 – India are using this series to give more opportunities to the fringe players as they look to finalize their squad for next month’s Asia Cup, and in the larger picture, the World Cup 2023.
Sanju Samson is one of those fringe players. In the absence of both KL Rahul, who is touted as the keeper for the ODI side, and Shreyas Iyer, a middle-order batsman, Samson got selected in the squad for this tour.
Samson had had a prolific 2022 with the bat in ODIs: in 9 ODI innings last year, Samson cracked 284 runs, remaining not out 5 times, at an average of 71 and strike rate of 105, playing the perfect role of a middle-order batsman who can stabilize the innings as well as finish with aplomb and fireworks. His best came against a quality South African bowling attack – 86* off 63 balls, almost finishing off a big chase.
Naturally, fans were happy to see Sanju Samson get a game.
Netizens on Twitter erupted as Sanju Samson got selected in the side for the 2nd ODI:
Sacrificing his spot for Samson.. Selfless Skipper for a reason pic.twitter.com/yhlMLjsEa2
— Harisankar (@harish_staycalm) July 29, 2023
The Sanju-Samson-fan-club will be happy.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) July 29, 2023
Sanju samson deserve
— hasmukh bhai (@HasmukhKatara5) July 29, 2023
I request the team management to provide Sanju Samson with the same opportunities to play regularly, just like you have given him a chance today. He will prove his abilities by showing how capable he is. #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/NzJYgg2d1E
— Vishwajeet Jaykar (@Vishwajaykar) July 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/dyno_tweet/status/1685282915004145664?s=20
What a place to make Sanju Samson play, everyone knows Virat Kohli will play at one down, so there will be no drama when Sanju will not be selected in the team. #SanjuSamson #ViratKohli𓃵 #INDvsWI
— Akshat Ashar (@AsharAkshat) July 29, 2023
Happy to see Sanju Samson getting a ODI match after so long!
Would be happier if Ruturaj Gaikwad is given a go in further matches.#WIvsIND
— Saptak Sanyal (@SanyalwithStats) July 29, 2023
Sanju!!!! 🇮🇳💙#SanjuSamson https://t.co/beC65UhFDG
— Rishabh Bundela (@rishabbundela07) July 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/ParthTr94896821/status/1685283445079932928?s=20
Why Sanju Samson On One Down? #SanjuSamson #Sanju #WIvsIND #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/iPMjKEC5Td
— Sanju Samson ERA (@SanjuSamson_Era) July 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/imaakashmj/status/1685283357704470528?s=20
Sanju Smason 100 incoming.#INDvsWI #SanjuSamson
— Karan (@Karan22k) July 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/shxnxxz_/status/1685282974311612416?s=20
Teams:
West Indies (Playing XI): Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Keacy Carty, Romario Shepherd, Yannic Cariah, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales
India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya(c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar
