It would be fair to say that the next few days could make or break Sanju Samson’s career. The Asia Cup 2023 squad is set to be announced on August 20, with the same group set to head to the World Cup 2023. The 28-year-old, one of the outside contenders, heads to IND vs IRE series in a bid to further his case. The Rajasthan Royals star has been guilty of blowing hot and cold, an assessment former World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev agrees with.
Sanju has an average of 55 in ODIs, but the sample size of 13 innings is too small. Even in his last innings in the format, he scored a fine 51 in Guyana, clearing the fence four times against spinners. However, his form tapered off in the T20Is, with scores of 12, 7 and 13. The 28-year-old has often been guilty of pulling the trigger too soon in his short career.
“It’s not right to talk about Sanju Samson alone. We are talking about the Indian team. I think he is a great player and a wonderful talent. But he has to apply himself more,” Kapil Dev told the Times of India.
Samson’s career took an upward turn on his last tour of Ireland. He was involved in a record-breaking partnership with Deepak Hooda, his only T20I half-century. The Kerala superstar will hope to put up a similar show and boost his credentials for selection in the Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023.
Interestingly, when Sanju Samson is busy playing in IND vs IRE T20s, selectors will pick the squad for Asia Cup 2023. The squad is set to be announced on August 20, the day of the IND vs IRE 2nd T20. He will make the cut should KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer miss the cut as far as their fitness is concerned.
Editors pick
