Is Sanju Samson ‘not in scheme of things’ ? – Indian Cricket Board’s Former Selector Thinks So
Sanju Samson Misses the squad for 20-20 World Cup (Image Source: Twitter)
On 12 September 2022, team India announced their final squad for the upcoming 20-20 World Cup. As per expectation and some reports, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel made a comeback. Along with 15 members, India announced four stand-by players also for the World Cup. However, there were reports that India might drop Rishabh Pant.
In place of him, they could go with Sanju Samson and Dinesh Karthik. But, selectors kept faith in Pant and Karthik only. Hence, Sanju Samson did not receive a call-up to the squad. Even, he failed to make it to the stand-by players’ list also. Now, regarding his exclusion, former selector of the Indian Cricket Board, MSK Prasad opened up.
“If he is not picked, one knows Sanju Samson is not in the scheme of things” – MSK Prasad
Speaking to the Indian Express, MSK Prasad said that if the team management wanted to consider Samson, then, they would have played him in the Asia Cup also. He also said that it is very tough to include him as players like Deepak Hooda and Shreyas Iyer are already there.
He said: “The question is, Sanju Samson, in place of who? Deepak Hooda gives you that extra bowling option. He can bat anywhere like Sanju, and Shreyas has done well in the home series against Sri Lanka and then in the West Indies. If the team management wanted to pick Sanju, they would have given him an opportunity in the Asia Cup or the upcoming home series against South Africa and Australia. If he is not picked, one knows he is not in the scheme of things.”
However, as per reports, after this next 20-20 World Cup, there will be changes in the T20I setup for India. Prasad said that then only, young players like Sanju will get more chances. “I have a feeling that post this 20-20 World Cup, guys like Sanju, Ravi Bishnoi, Ishan Kishan, and others will get more chances and will be regulars, at least in T20Is,” Prasad concluded. Speaking about Samson, he had a great Indian T20 League season for his Rajasthan franchise earlier this year. Hence, he made a comeback to the Indian team. But, he failed to show consistency as Samson scored only one half-century in the last eight innings.
