Sanju Samson is likely to make a comeback to the national team for Bangladesh T20Is while Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube could also get his maiden national call-up as the national selectors are set to name the squad next week. As per the report in Mumbai Mirror, the two players can be rewarded for their recent performances.
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Starting from Samson, he played his first and only international match against Zimbabwe back in 2015. The 24-year-old had made it to the Indian team back in 2014 (for England series) but didn’t get a chance due to MS Dhoni being a part of the squad as wicketkeeper-batsman and captain. He later went to Zimbabwe and got one chance.
Samson remained an India A regular since then but his form in domestic cricket never supported his case for selection. Though former cricketers have always rated Samson highly and recently, he hit a double-century against Goa in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy to further press his case for selection.
Samson, if selected, will have a direct competition with Rishabh Pant for a place in the playing XI and there can be a case when the team management might also test Samson ahead of World T20 which takes place next year.
Dube, 26-year-old all-rounder from Mumbai, has been rated highly for his abilities. His skills also saw him being bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 5 Crore in the auction but lack of chances meant he was dropped.
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Since then he has been performing well for India A across formats and will be a like to like replacement for Hardik Pandya, who is set to be out for three to four months.
In the absence of Pandya, team India will also get an opportunity to test out a new all-rounder and chances of Dube making his debut in the Bangladesh T20Is are likely.