Kapil Dev is not happy with the inconsistent performances from India’s ‘talented’ batter. India’s first-ever World Cup-winning captain (1983), Kapil Dev believes that given the talent Sanju Samson possesses, his returns with the bat do not justify it.
Kapil Dev is usually very impressed with the current crop of Indian youngster cricketers. He has often reserved the highest of praises for most young and talented players, but at the same time has been vocal about his criticism for some. Heading into the 2022 T20I World Cup later this year in Australia, one area which promises to attract more attention than others in the Indian team is that of the wicketkeepers.
Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Dinesh Karthik Will Be In Reckoning To Be Selected For The 2022 T20I World Cup Squad
With as many as four wicketkeeper-batters in contention in Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Dinesh Karthik, it will be interesting to see how many get the nod.
Rishabh Pant has managed just 40 runs in the three T20Is against the Proteas thus far and has been dismissed for single-digit scores in his last two innings. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan has excelled with the bat and Dinesh Karthik also played a decent knock in the second T20I.
One of the selection headaches is the backup wicket-keeper, as Rishabh Pant is the leading keeper of the side, but his backup is yet to be seen. KL Rahul is a potential backup, but he played as a fielder for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022. Dinesh Karthik, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson are potential candidates for the job.
Kapil Dev Upset With Sanju Samson’s Inconsistency
If it was up to Kapil Dev to pick between the four stars, the former India captain says he will be torn as he finds all of them equally capable with the bat and behind the stumps. However, there is one keeper among them whom Kapil Dev is ‘extremely upset’ with, and that is the captain of the Rajasthan Royals- Sanju Samson.
“To be honest, if I have to pick a better wicketkeeper between the three (Karthik, Ishan and Samson), I would say they’re almost at the same level. I can’t say there is much difference. But in terms of batting, each one is better than the other.
“On a given day, all three can win the match for India on their own accord. If you speak of Wriddhiman (Saha), I would say he is a better batter among the three but the remaining are far superior batsmen. I am extremely upset with Sanju Samson. He is so talented. But the guy scores in 1-2 matches and then fails. Has no consistency,” Kapil Dev said.
Sanju Samson has been given several runs with the Indian team but he hasn’t made it count and has fallen behind in the pecking order.
Sanju Samson has played 13 T20Is for India and scored 174 runs without a single half-century of fifty. His last two seasons with RR have seen him score 484 and 458 runs respectively but despite leading the franchise to IPL 2022 final, he missed making it to India’s squad for the five-match T20I series against South Africa.
The right-hander was retained ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction for INR 14 Crores and he helped Rajasthan Royals to qualify for playoffs in the IPL 2022. Sanju Samson had an excellent outing in the last edition (IPL 2021) scoring 484 runs in 14 games at an average of 40.