Sanju Samson (Twitter)
Sanju Samson failed to utilise the two opportunities that came his way during the ongoing T20I series between India and Sri Lanka.
The Kerala cricketer didn’t feature in the first T20I as Rishabh Pant continued as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. However, in the second T20I, Samson got the nod in place of Shubman Gill, who was ruled out of the encounter due to a neck spasm. The wicketkeeper played as a specialist batter and opened the innings. However, he was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana for a golden duck.
In the third T20I on Tuesday, July 30, Samson dropped down to his favourite No. 3 spot as Shubman returned to the lineup. However, he was called into action as early as in the second over after Yashasvi Jaiswal was out to Theekshana. Samson played three dots before being dismissed by debutant Chamindu Wickramasinghe for a duck. The 29-year-old tried to break the shackles by trying to play an uppish flick shot. However, he closed the bat face a bit earlier for his liking and the ball took an outside edge that went straight into the hands of deep point.
Also Read: SL vs IND 2024: Why are Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant not playing third T20I?
The previous match was reduced to an eight-over contest due to rain. However, Samson had the opportunity to play a long innings in the third match, which is expected to be a full 20-over contest. He will be frustrated with the way he got dismissed as he had a lot of time to get himself set on a dryish surface. Samson isn’t a part of India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series and will have to wait for his next opportunity in India colours.
The Men in Blue will be returning to the T20I circuit in October for a three-match series against Bangladesh. It will be interesting to see whether the Pulluvila-born gets picked for that series as the rub of the green hasn’t often gone his way when it comes to India selection.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Sanju Samson’s second consecutive duck:
#sanjusamson 🥹🥹#INDvSL #justice pic.twitter.com/I0PQwvWBu1
— Tanay (@tanay_chawda1) July 30, 2024
😭😭🙏
Bro owned whole justice gang with back to back ducks#INDvsSL #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/PJ4vjZUd05
— 𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙪 ✨ (@KLfied_) July 30, 2024
Sanju Samson back to back duck 🦆🦆
Meanwhile fans to #SanjuSamson 😅..#SLvsIND #INDvSL #INDvsSL #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/NlIYZ57Va4
— Ashutosh Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08) July 30, 2024
I won’t judge Sanju Samson on 1 game even if he gets “0” Runs.
Rishabh Pant has got 76 T20Is in just 5 years and Sanju Samson has got scattered opportunities in 9 years !!
Let him get 15-20 consistent games❤️#SanjuSamson #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/8rimllbvVE
— Suraj Pal (@SURAJPAL986) July 29, 2024
Justice For Sanju Samson 🙏
#sanjusamson #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/D7jXhXb6x9
— Shubham Verma (@Shubham08219718) July 30, 2024
Come on Sanju this is the chance to show what you deserve, and how much caliber you have.#Sanjusamson #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/R3kDskX0Gr
— Cricket Freak 🏏 (@Cric_Freak01) July 30, 2024
Sanju Samson utilising his chances in India Team 😢#Sanjusamson #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/jPx8tJhiTY
— विवेक (@vivek7218) July 30, 2024
Most T20I Ducks for India in a Year
3 – Yusuf Pathan (2009)
3 – Rohit Sharma (2018)
3 – Rohit Sharma (2022)
3 – Virat Kohli (2024)
3 – Sanju Samson (2024)*#SanjuSamson #INDvsSL #SLvsIND #Paris2024 #Olympic2024 pic.twitter.com/l0rjFywuiq— Cricket News Official (@Cricketnews_off) July 30, 2024
Sanju Samson and Samsung both hang when needed the most #SanjuSamson
— Mahi (@mahi_tst) July 30, 2024
#Sanjusamson fans and ipl viewers, I’m telling you again. This is international cricket @ShashiTharoor @bhogleharsha
— Radhakrishnan (@movieNcricket) July 30, 2024
😭#SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/PQqIdcdzJi
— स्टाईलिश रामाराव जाटव (@RahulKu16374923) July 30, 2024