Sanju Samson missed the 2022 T20I World Cup ticket but understands that getting into the elite 15 of the national team is more challenging than ever.
India wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson is focused on performing in the India A games after missing the T20 World Cup ticket and said that getting into the elite 15 of the national team is more challenging than ever.
Sanju Samson Reckons Playing At Different Positions In The Batting Order Has Added New Dimension To His Game
The Kerela-born batsman will lead India A against New Zealand A in a 3-match ODI series in Chennai. Sanju Samson has played six T20Is for India in 2022, scoring 179 runs at an impressive average of 44.75 and an exceptional strike rate of 158.40 with one half-century.
Moreover, he led Rajasthan Royals to the IPL 2022 final this season. In spite of such exploits, Sanju Samson was reportedly not even in contention for the 2022 T20I World Cup squad.
”Playing different roles is something I have worked on for a lot of years. I am confident of batting anywhere in the order.” Sanju Samson believes that to be successful, one needs to be flexible. ”You should not fix a spot for yourself. You cannot tell people: ‘I am an opener or I am a finisher.’ In the last three-four years, playing in various roles and spots (in order) has added a new dimension to my game,” he added.
Sanju Samson, the Kerala batter, who made his T20I debut in 2015, has managed 296 runs at a modest average of 21.14 in 16 T20Is and 176 runs in 7 ODIs averaging 44.
He scored his maiden T20I fifty (77) against Ireland this year and maiden ODI fifty (54) against West Indies this year. He is expected to play against South Africa in 3 match ODIs prior to the 2022 T20I World Cup where the World Cup-bound players will be rested.
Sanju Samson Reckons Finding A Place In Indian Team Is Challenging As There’s Lot Of Competition
The 27-year-old, who has featured in 7 ODIs and 16 T20Is so far, said finding a spot in the Indian team is challenging and there is a lot of competition.
”It really does get challenging. Finding a place in the Indian team is really challenging. There is a lot of competition around, even within players who are in the team now. When these things happen, it is important to focus on myself,” Samson said in response to a question.
”I am happy with the way I am performing. I want to improve…,” he added.
Sanju Samson will be leading India A in the three List A games against New Zealand A, starting in Chennai from Thursday.
”The quality of cricketers we have in our team is unbelievable. So, it really helps each and every individual to raise their level. We keep on challenging ourselves. We try to perform every time we get an opportunity,” Samson said.
The A series always keeps the fringe players on the selection radar and Sanju Samson is happy to lead the national A team.
”They (India A games) are really important. There is not much difference between an A game and an international game. The competition is almost the same. so it is important to make use of the opportunities.”
India A have just lost three wickets of Prithvi Shaw, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rahul Tripathi as they chase New Zealand’s 167 in the first ODI on Thursday. They are 101/3. Sanju Samson and Rajat Patidar are at the batting crease.
Earlier, Shardul Thakur picked 4 while Kuldeep Sen chipped in with 3 top-order wickets to put the visitors in trouble in the morning. Michael Rippon & Joe Walker added fighting 89 for the ninth wicket after Kiwis were reduced to 74/8: They were all 167/10