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Sanju Samson (Source: Twitter)
Indian batter Sanju Samson has been short of game time with team India in recent times, and this has confused and even upset many fans and experts. His frequent deselection from the national team is almost inexplicable as the strong Kerala batter can offer a lot to the team with the bat in the white-ball circuit.
Many ex-players and cricket enthusiasts have shown their support for Samson despite the axe he has been receiving from the Indian management. Many thought he would be picked for the India squad for the Asia Cup 2022 and the 20-20 World Cup 2022 in Australia but he, unfortunately, missed out. Currently, he is with the Indian camp for T20Is and ODIs for the ongoing New Zealand tour.
Samson was also left out for the second ODI against New Zealand in the ongoing three-match series. Many fans expressed on social media that the right-hand batter must replace Rishabh Pant for the spot of wicketkeeper-batter for India. And Samson’s childhood coach, Biju, gave his verdict on the matter.
“Now what’s happening on social media is that people are turning against Rishabh Pant for no reason. Pant is there because he has performed over a long period of time. And see there is no clash between Pant and Sanju Samson,” Biju was quoted as saying in News 18.
Belittling Rishabh Pant is very wrong: Biju
“What I am not liking is how the mallu crowd is putting Sanju Samson against BCCI, and belittling Rishabh Pant. It is very wrong and not at all on. I don’t believe so and it’s just that circumstances are not working in his favour. He is not being deliberately targeted,” said Biju.
When asked if the 28-year-old's time is running out with the Indian team, Biju made it clear that he still had a long way to go. He asked Samson to take inspiration from a late bloomer such as Suryakumar Yadav, who is now one of the best limited-overs batters in the world, especially in T20Is. "No time is not running out. Look at Surya, for inspiration. He arrived late to the scene and how well has he grabbed the opportunity? So Sanju shouldn’t look far for inspiration. Surya’s example is there in front of him,” says Biju.