Sanju Samson has been dropped from India’s T20I squad for the tour of New Zealand. The right-handed batsman, since his recall, has only come in place of regulars and with the selectors picking a full-strength squad for the series, there was no place for Samson.
The 25-year-old warmed the bench for eight home T20Is before getting a chance in the third T20I of the series against Sri Lanka. He opened his account with a first-ball six but was dismissed on the next delivery.
Despite not being in the T20I squad, Samson will be in New Zealand as he is a part of India A squad for the series against New Zealand A which starts next week.
Rohit Sharma, Team India’s white-ball vice-captain, returned to the T20I squad. The right-handed batsman had been rested for the three T20Is against Sri Lanka. In his absence, both KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan came up with performances but the former might be given the first preference to open the innings with Rohit.
Apart from him, Mohammed Shami was also recalled into the T20I side. He was rested for the Sri Lanka T20Is and was always in line to make a comeback for the away series. Rest of the players who were a part of the Sri Lanka series have been retained. Hardik Pandya’s unavailability meant Shivam Dube kept his spot.
The T20I series could be the final chance for Rishabh Pant to prove himself as Samson will be in line to make a comeback if he (Rishabh) does not perform well in New Zealand.
The T20I series between India and New Zealand kicks off on January 24 with the first T20I to be played on January 24 at Eden Park in Auckland. The same venue will host the second T20I as well. The next three T20Is of the series will be played on January 29, 31 and February 2 in Hamilton, Wellington and Mount Maunganui, respectively.
Squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur