Sanju Samson (Photo Source: Twitter)
Flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson missed the chance to be part of India’s playing XI in the ODI opener against West Indies at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. Instead, the team opted for the likes of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in the middle-order.
Although Samson has shown exceptional performances in recent opportunities in the ODI format, scoring an impressive 330 runs in 11 matches at an average of 66, he has not been chosen on a consistent basis in the Indian team.
Meanwhile, it was intriguing to witness Kishan, who usually opens the innings, being selected as a middle-order batter for this game. However, his skills and versatility in various positions could be seen as an advantage for the Indian team. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav, despite having a hat-trick of golden ducks in his last three ODIs, managed to retain his spot in the team for the series opener.
Following the announcement of the playing XI, cricket followers took to Twitter to express their frustration with the management’s decision to drop Samson as many loyal felt that the Kerala batter deserved a spot in the XI. It is evident that Samson has won over the hearts of cricket enthusiasts with his brilliant batting prowess, and his exclusion from the team raised eyebrows among followers of the sport.
Samson last played an ODI against New Zealand in November 2022 during India’s tour to the nation. It remains to be seen whether he will get another opportunity in the upcoming matches, with two matches still to come in the West Indies series.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Sanju Samson’s Exclusion from Playing 11:
Ishan is front runner on test basis and Surya in t20 basis. we all know what will happen to odi front runner Samson: benched again. 😥#SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/vwS89kXKO7
— Sreerag Rajesh (@RajeshSreerag) July 27, 2023
He is Sanju Samson, ICT WK batsman
He was born in a Christian family in Kerala.
He is the most dangerous and reliable WK batsman in Indian domestic circuit.
He is RR captain and have all the abilities to become ICT captain.
But he has no godfather in ICT that’s why today… pic.twitter.com/8ZovipkEhI
— Dr Nimo Yadav (@niiravmodi) July 27, 2023
Sanju Samson Isn’t in the Playing XI.
Surprised?#IndvWI
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 27, 2023
Sanju Samson I advised you may go other country like England, Ireland, New Zealand.
Please You May Go 🙏🙏 .
India me kuch Nahi rkha please😭😭.
You Need Play Some Other Countries. @IamSanjuSamson#SanjuSamson #sanju #INDvsWI #WIvsIND pic.twitter.com/iesJDEMZtb
— Sanju Samson ERA (@SanjuSamson_Era) July 27, 2023
Show me a more unlucky batter wicketkeeper than Sanju Samson. Hurts more when you are among the top batters of the team, not just a wicketkeeper, but still failing to find a spot even after winning knocks.#INDvsWI #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/v9e9jknNhs
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) July 27, 2023
If it’s T20 World Cup year then Sanju Samson will play ODIs.
If it’s ODI World Cup year then Sanju Samson will play T20Is.#INDvsWI
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) July 27, 2023
We (Sanju Samson And Ruturaj Gaikwad) Are Here Just To Suffer 😞. pic.twitter.com/gxDI0n6mhp
— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) July 27, 2023
Sanju Samson should have played, if not for Kishan, then for Sky Sorry. I am wondering what will happen once KL, Shreyas and Rishabh come back to the squad once they return from injury.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) July 27, 2023
It’s literally very hard to be Sanju Samson and being his fan is the hardest.#SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/l1pKN5J8pm
— RockstaR MK (@RockstarMK11) July 27, 2023