The Indian selectors are set to recall Sanju Samson to the squad for the West Indies series. As per a report in the Mumbai Mirror, the youngster will be added in the squad, maybe as an extra member. The Indian selection panel was heavily criticised for dropping Samson from the squad but the selectors had no choice.
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Indian skipper Virat Kohli made a comeback and the MSK Prasad-led selection panel had to retain Manish Pandey because he was ahead of Samson if the pecking order. All this led to him being dropped but as the report mentions, Samson will now participate in the T20I series.
Though this does not mean that he will get to play a match. There can be a case when he might again sit out, like in the case of the Bangladesh series.
The selectors have continued to back Rishabh Pant for the wicketkeeping duty and looking at the present batting order, there is no place for Samson. Although the selectors will be able to send a message to fans that Samson is in the scheme of things.
The right-handed batsman will have to continue his form for India A and in the IPL to put forward his case for the next year’s T20 World Cup.
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Samson, who got his maiden call-up back in 2014, has played one T20I so far – in 2015. He was dropped after the tour of Zimbabwe and his inconsistent run meant Samson had to wait for four more years to get a recall to the national side. He pushed his case for selection with performances for India A and a double-century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
India and West Indies play three T20Is on December 6, 8 and 11. Following the T20Is, the two teams will play three ODIs on December 15, 18 and 22.