Sanju Samson played just two balls in the last T20I against Sri Lanka. He started with a six and was dismissed on the next delivery. The right-handed batsman got two deliveries to prove himself. Sanju Samson was dropped from the Indian team for the tour of New Zealand after just one international appearance in the last 5 years. Is it his fault? Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has failed despite getting enough chances.
In his 28 matches, Pant has scored only 410 runs with a dismal average of 20.50. Time and again, he has failed to deliver in crunch situations. With two fifties and no hundreds, he is fast running out of time. If a selection panel backs a player for 28 matches despite him failing badly in batting or behind the wicket skills, should he be given more chances or should other players with a similar set of skills be tried?
Sanju Samson, on the other hand, has played only two T20Is and no other game in any other format between his debut against Zimbabwe in 2015 to the last T20I vs. Sri Lanka recently. Throughout this time, Samson has played 55 IPL matches, scoring almost 1500 runs with an average of 30, which is considered above par in terms of T20. While scoring those runs, he has had a terrific strike rate of 135. During this time his wicket-keeping skills were satisfactory as well.
There is no denying the fact that Rishabh Pant has played equally good if not better in the cash-rich league. But the point of contention is the number of chances Pant has got compared to Sanju Samson. Pant has not only played T20Is but has also featured in a lot number of ODIs. However, the story has remained the same. The wicket-keeping skills of Pant have been ordinary.
Sanju Samson’s hard work and efforts deserve more chances than he has got till date. He is a match-winner and has shown this time and again in both domestic and IPL innings. India are looking for the right fit who can match-up the quality of MS Dhoni in the finishers’ role and wicket-keeping department. Rishabh Pant has had a dismal record trying to replace the former skipper. If makes all the more important for the selection committee to give more chances to Sanju Samson to prove himself in national colors.
Virat Kohli wants to win the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia but his persistence with Rishabh Pant could hamper India’s chances, considering his repeated failures with the bat and behind the stumps. A lot has been said about the talent Pant possesses but his performance sheet is still missing any noteworthy performance.
Sanju Samson has shown his worth in the Indian Premier League, and he could be India’s next match-winner if he is given more opportunities by the wise men of the selection committee and Team India’s management. Time has come to move away from Pant and trust Samson to deliver goods for his team in the slam-bang version of the game.