Sanju Samson was not included in India's playing XI once again on Sunday after being given an opportunity in the first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland. While he failed to put up a big score on the board with the bat, his 38-ball 36 was instrumental in his 96-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer which allowed India to cross the 300-run barrier. But skipper Shikhar Dhawan's decision to leave him out of the side in the second game left Indian cricket supporters fuming who went on to call it a curious case of “favoritism” in the Indian camp.
The Indian team management faced severe flak for picking only five bowlers for the three-match series opener which they eventually lost by seven wickets after Tom Latham's 104-ball unbeaten 145.
That's why India decided to bring in Deepak Chahar and Deepak Hooda in place of Shardul Thakur and Sanju Samson for the second match in Hamilton.
“Instead of Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar comes in and Deepak Hooda comes in place of Sanju Samson,” Shikhar Dhawan said after the toss.
The decision, however, didn't impress Team India admirers who blasted Shikhar Dhawan for his “horrible” move.
This is horrible. Sanju has to sit out even after doing well in ODIs. What else this guy needs to do yaar. Absolute favoritism.
— Praful VK (@Prafu4u) November 27, 2022
#SanjuSamson
No Godfather in Selection Comittee
How a player feel last match he played well and the next game he is out of the team
One more thing last game failures get the next match also
It's enough you don't pick Sanju for any series and also don't do it anyone else.Hurted pic.twitter.com/pnjvtHy1CV— 🅰🅹🅸🆃🅷 🅽🅰🆁🅰🆈🅰🅽🅰🅽 (@AjithNa49153322) November 27, 2022
Then what's the point of being WK & flexible to bat at any position?!
Once again they underline it #SanjuSamson is their easiest target.Not to forget he is dropped for Bangladesh ODIs as well, but Pant & Ishan are'nt.
Coaches change, Captains change but Sanju's fate remains same. pic.twitter.com/0XvXLcO1OU— Amal Sudhakaran (@amal_sachinism) November 27, 2022
Sanju Samson is always a scapegoat 😔 #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/lRE3IGWCwb
— Karamdeep (@oyeekd) November 27, 2022
Sanju Samson is not part of playing 11 (2nd ODI INDvsNZ) but Pant is wow!
How to destroy the career of a player learn from BCCI#INDvsNZ #SanjuSamson #Rishabpant— Satyam (@Satyamtweets22) November 27, 2022
#SanjuSamson please retire from this shitty team and play for some other country where the talent gets respect not the money or power or politics like corrupted BCCI
— Praveen John (@Praveen99659069) November 27, 2022
This is not the first time that fans have been furious with the Indian management for neglecting Sanju Samson.
Even in the first match against New Zealand, Sanju Samson's supporters were critical of Shikhar Dhawan.
Most times, Sanju Samson isn't included in the side because of Rishabh Pant. While Rishabh Pant has established himself as possibly India's best wicketkeeper batter in Test cricket, he's yet to live up to his billing in white-ball cricket, especially in T20Is. That's where Indian cricket fans have been critical of the team management as Sanju Samson has often warmed the bench due to Rishabh Pant.
Sanju Samson's continued exclusion from the XI at the expense of Rishabh Pant has even been criticized by many cricket pundits, including Aakash Chopra and Saba Karim.
“As of now everyone believes that he (Pant) is a special player, extremely talented, is an X-factor kind of cricketer, but he hasn't lived up to the reputation in white-ball cricket thus far,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“In Tests, today also Rishabh Pant is not only India's but the world's best wicketkeeper-batter. Not many top-order batters have played more dynamic and impactful knocks than him, forget about a keeper. But the truth is that he has not done that good a job in ODIs and T20s considering the opportunities he has got,” said the former India opener.
“You have made him the vice-captain currently. Now that you have done that, you will give him two more opportunities in the team. You will ask him to play but what after that? That is a big question,” Aakash Chopra added.
“God forbid, if this series is also not good, Rishabh Pant is still part of the team for the next series, but after that the selectors will have to start thinking until when they can stick with him or if they should start moving in a different direction,” he concluded.
On the other hand, Saba Karim suggested that Sanju Samson was not able to play the kind of cricket he's known for in the first match because he was batting with caution to cement his spot in the team.
“Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer are looking to cement their places in the side, which is why they were unable to play fearless cricket,” Saba Karim said. “The players these days are very insecure about their places.”
“They should be given that confidence,” Saba Karim added. “We will see a difference in their approach once they don't have that fear. When you are playing to save your place, you aren't trying to win games for your side as you are somewhat playing selfish cricket.”
Earlier, India allrounder Reetinder Sodhi advocated for the inclusion of Sanju Samson in place of Rishabh Pant and even went on to dub him as a “liability” which the team needs to shun as quickly as possible.
“He is becoming a liability for Team India. If it's like this, then bring in Sanju Samson. End of the day, you got to take that chance because you cannot afford to lose and exit in World Cup or ICC tournaments. When you give too many chances, problems arise. The time has come to provide opportunities to new guys,” Reetinder Sodhi told Sportskeeda.
“Only time will tell how many opportunities and how long he gets. Time is passing and he really has to tighten his shoes. Everything has a limit. You cannot depend on one player for so long. If he is not performing, you got to show him the exit door,” Reetinder Sodhi said further.
Follow Us
Subscribe