Is Sanju Samson good enough to play for India?

Sanju Samson’s wretched luck continues.

There was a lot of hue and cry in the media that Samson doesn’t get enough chances with Team India.

After being a chance against Sri Lanka, he has been ruled out of the remainder of the 3-match T20I series after hurting his left knee while attempting to field a ball near the boundary ropes during the 1st T20I.

Also, Samson wasted another opportunity to cement his spot when he was dismissed for just 5 runs off 6 balls by Dhananjaya de Silva.

Having spent a significant amount of time on the bench or either being sidelined in 2022, Sanju Samson hoped for a better 2023, however, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Samson also started the Lankan innings by making a fielding error as he dropped a simple catch.

There is intense competition for a place in the team and Samson isn’t doing enough to justify the faith showed in him.

Though his talent is not in question, there will be doubts about his temperament and his ability to handle the pressure of international cricket.

Seeing Samson depart cheaply once again, Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar was livid.

He expressed his disappointment seeing the wicket-keeper batter throw his wicket away, and not for the first time.

“And this time, it’s the leading edge going to short third man. He is such a fine player. Sanju Samson has so much of talent but his shot selection sometimes lets him down. And this is one more occasion where it has disappointed,” said former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar.

Even former India opener Gautam Gambhir suggested that Samson has to start grabbing the chances he is getting with both hands.

“We all talk about how much talent he has but he needs to capitalise on these chances.” Gambhir said.

The BCCI announced Jitesh Sharma as Samson’s replacement.

Jitesh Sharma plays for Punjab Kings and he made his Indian Premier League debut in the previous edition against Chennai Super Kings, during which he scored a 17-ball 26.

The wicketkeeper-batter has so far made 12 appearances for PBKS, in which he scored 234 runs from 10 innings.

His highest score was a 34-ball 44 against Delhi Capitals.

In the absence of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, India were left with only wicketkeeper-batter – Ishan Kishan – in their current T20I squad.

Jitesh can not only don the gloves if needed and has played the role of a finisher quite well for PBKS and Vidarbha.