Reasons Why Sanju Samson Is Being Ignored And Not Getting To Play For Team India

Cricket Fans are disappointed as Sanju Samson is being constantly ignored by Team India management and selectors. Surprisingly, Sanju made his T20 International debut in 2015 and got a chance to play only 27 matches(ODIs & T20s) till now. He was included in team mostly when senior players were rested. He has been warming the benches in almost every series, coming on to the field only to deliver drinks and replacement bats.

3 Reasons why he is being ignored
1. Not given enough opportunities
Rishabh Pant made his T20 debut two years later than Sanju Samson. Pant has played 66 T20 internationals since then. Ishan Kishan has also played 19 T20 matches for India after making his debut in 2021. KL Rahul, who made his T20 debut in 2016 has played as a wicket-keeper batsman and played 72 matches so far.

2. Left Hander preferred
Rishabh Pant has the advantage because he is a left hander and Team India middle order is dominated by right handers.  Ishan Kishan also has the same advantage. This is one of the major reasons that Samson did not get as many opportunities in the playing XI of Team India as he deserves.

3. Didn’t get chance in big tournament
The Indian team could not perform too well in T20 World Cup and Asia Cup this year. Sanju Samson was not included in the team in both these tournaments. In his career, Samson has only played 11 ODIs and managed to scored 330 runs at an impressive average of 66 and a strike rate of 105. He has also scored 296 runs in 16 T20 matches at an average of 21 and a strike rate of 135.

After the T20 World Cup, he got a chance in a match on the tour of New Zealand but surprisingly was not a part of the team in the Bangladesh series.

Sanju Samson should be given Longer Run

Rishabh Pant has had enough chances having played 65 T20Is, scoring 976 runs at a very poor average of 22.69 and an ordinary strike rate of 125.77. Pant has only scored a half century 3 times in 55 innings. Over the last two years, Pant’s average has dipped even more. Samson needs to be given a long run. Many fans expressed their unhappiness when Samson was left out of the playing 11 in New Zealand.

Recently, whenever Samson has got opportunity, he has not disappointed and played his part. In his last five T20I innings, the right-handed batsman has scored 39, 18, 77, 30*, and 15. Samson has impressed in ODIs as well. As far as ODIs are concerned, he has scored 43*, 15, 86*, 30*, and 2* in his last five innings. On Social Media, cricketing fans are expressing anger at the Indian team management for ‘dirty politics’ while some urged the BCCI to not ruin Samson’s life.