Maninder Singh, the former Indian cricketer has backed Sanju Samson to start the ODI series against Zimbabwe as India’s first-choice wicket-keeper over Ishan Kishan. The 27-year-old has been in decent form of late and also brought up his maiden ODI fifty against West Indies earlier this month.
Maninder Singh has been highly impressed with the way Sanju Samson tackles deliveries that are back of a length. He feels the Kerala batter is a bit more pleasing to the eye.
Maninder Singh’s Eyes Will Be On Sanju Samson In Zimbabwe
Maninder Singh also spoke about India’s upcoming tour of Zimbabwe where some of the fringe players would be looking to impress the selectors. As far as the wicket-keeper’s role goes, Maninder Singh wants Sanju Samson to be taking up the role.
Speaking in a media interaction arranged by Sony Sports Network on Friday, Maninder Singh spoke in length about Sanju Samson: “It’s a difficult choice because both these players (Samson and Ishan) are brilliant players and it’s not going to be easy for the coach and the captain to pick the first-choice wicketkeeper.
“I am very, very impressed with Sanju Samson because he has got a lot of time. When he plays on the backfoot, you can make out that the batsman has a lot of time.”
He added: “So I would actually like to see Sanju Samson getting a lot of opportunities before you start thinking that he is not performing consistently. My eyes will be on Sanju Samson.”
Sanju Samson has struggled to replicate his IPL exploits at the international level as the Kerala batter, who made his debut in 2015, has managed 296 runs at a meager average of 21.14 in 16 T20Is and 118 runs in 4 ODIs averaging 39.33.
Maninder Singh: Shubman Gill Looks More Settled
Ishan Kishan is probably being considered as a backup opener in white-ball cricket at the moment. But Maninder Singh feels Shubman Gill might have leapfrogged the 23-year-old with his consistent performances of late.
The right-handed batsman recently opened the innings for Team India during the three-match ODI series against West Indies and played a key role in the 3-0 series win. He finished the series as the highest run-scorer and was adjudged the Player of the Series.
But despite the runs tally, he has been facing criticism for not scoring those runs at a quicker pace. Shubman Gill finished with 205 runs at a strike rate of just over 100. He even faced criticism after scoring a career-best 98 not out in the third and final ODI.
Maninder Singh explained why Shubman Gill would perhaps pip Ishan Kishan: “Shubman Gill looks more settled as a cricketer. He seems to have a better temperament and more time when he is batting. I really am excited to see him and I hope he performs consistently.”
Ishan Kishan, the left-hander, however, has been quite consistent, with 543 runs in 19 T20Is at an average of 30.16 and a strike rate of 131.15. Ishan Kishan was the most expensive player to be sold in the IPL 2022 auction after Mumbai Indians spent a total of 15.25 crores to acquire his services. He scored 418 runs in 14 IPL 2022 matches averaging 32.15.
The three-match ODI series between India and Zimbabwe kicks off on August 18.