Former Indian opener Abhinav Mukund raised his concerns about the Indian team management’s decision to send Sanju Samson to bat at the No.3 spot after his comeback to the playing XI. The right-handed batter could not make an impact with the bat, as he failed to use the opportunity to score runs.
The Men in Blue don’t have too many ODIs to play ahead of the tournament as they look to try a few players to finalise their squad for the marquee event in the country.
Sanju Samson and Axar Patel have been drafted into the playing 11 as the Indian team management rested captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the game to provide an opportunity to fringe players to test themselves before Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup.
Speaking in Jiocinema, Abhinav Mukund questioned India’s decision to send Sanju Samson at the top of the order, as he feels that the Indian N0.3 spot is sealed for the next 2 to 3 years with Virat Kohli playing for the team and believes that Kerala wicket-keeper batter can play purely as a batsman rather than wicket-keeper in the team.
“He (Samson) faced 19 balls, you can read too much into that innings. And he is batting at No. 3, a spot that he possibly won’t get in the next 2 or 3 years. I don’t understand where the Indian team sees Sanju Samson.
“I believe they should see Samson as a batter. You can fit him in as a keeper later on, but he is a batter primarily. I feel he warrants more chances than the chances that he has had. If he does get it, it should be in a position he is comfortable batting at – maybe No. 4 or No. 5,” Abhinav Mukund said.
Sanju Samson has shown consistency in the ODI format of the game. Just before the game against West Indies in the 2nd ODI, Samson scored 330 runs with a sensational average of 66 in 11 innings as most of his runs came batting lower down the order but could not do well as he failed to score runs against the Men in Maroon in Barbados.
This Is A Question That Has Been Raised Against Sanju Samson – Abhinav Mukund
Abhinav Mukund believes that Sanju Samson has some problems against the wrist spinners following his dismissal on the bowling of Yannic Carriah. The Indian wicket-keeper has been vulnerable against the leg-spinners so far and feels that it is unfair to judge him based on one innings, as he last played for Rajasthan Royals in IPL.
“Unfortunately, this is a question that has been raised against Sanju, his problems against leg-spinner. He got out today against leg-spin. That’s a separate issue,” he stated.
“12 innings and he last played on the 19th of May. Two months later, if you are going to put him in a selection shoot-out, it’s a bit unfair,” Abhinav Mukund added.
Sanju Samson is someone who can be used as a floater in the team whose position can be changed according to the demand of the team and the Kerala batter will look to prove his worth in the forthcoming series to make his case strong for the mega event, later this year.