On 23 June 2023, the Indian Cricket Board announce the squad for both the ODI and Test series for the upcoming West Indies tour. However, senior players like Cheteshwar Pujara got dropped from the Test series. But, fans went crazy as Sanju Samson gets a place in the ODI squad.
Samson last played for Team India against Sri Lanka in a T20I game on 3 January 2023. During that match, he injured his left knee while attempting to stop a ball near the boundary ropes. But, after that, he got recovered and made a comeback in the recently concluded IPL season for Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Sanju Samson has played 11 ODIs so far
Meanwhile, it was a disappointing season for him both as a skipper and batter. RR finished in the fifth spot with 14 points in 14 games. Samson scored only 362 runs in 14 games, at an average of 30.17 and a strike rate of 153.39. He smashed three fifties in the tournament. So, fans will hope for some good knocks from him in this upcoming series. Later this year. The 50-over World Cup is all set to take place in India. Rishabh Pant’s condition is still unclear. Hence, Samson will look to cement his place in the team.
As of now, he has played 11 ODIs so far. In 10 innings, he has scored 330 runs, at an average of 66 and a strike rate of 104.76, including two fifties only. While, in 16 T20I innings, he has scored 301 runs, at an average of 20.06 and a strike rate of 133.77, including one fifty only. However, Ishan Kishan is another wicketkeeper option in the squad for Rohit Sharma. India will play three ODIs in West Indies after the two-match Test series. After the ODI series, they will play a five-match T20I series.
India’s ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Shardul Thakur, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, and Mukesh Kumar.
Here is how fans have reacted:
Congratulations to PR team
— ӄʀɨֆɦռǟ Gupta 🐦 (@Thekrishna45) June 23, 2023
Aaj PR team ko pasa millaga 🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑
— harsh (@Harsh256256) June 23, 2023
What's the point, they will just bench him
— RoyalCuler 🇮🇳 (@RoyalCuler) June 23, 2023
Awesome news 🔥
— Zanikofficial (@djrakesht) June 23, 2023
Ye credit to Dhobi. Bcoz Dhobi retired Sanju Samson got chance to play
— Rohit (@bhaiyon_ka_bhai) June 23, 2023
Going by the pattern, he will get a chance in the next Wi series, after this one.
— Rahul K Dinesh (@RahulKDinesh) June 23, 2023
King Ishan robbed
— Ganguly (@cricketgoa88598) June 23, 2023
King Ishan robbed
— Ganguly (@cricketgoa88598) June 23, 2023
Sanju Samson❤️ pic.twitter.com/h1kIGG1EyC
— Kohlified. (@123perthclassic) June 23, 2023
Last opportunity for the lad to showcase some form before worldcup
— Jetha Hi🏆tler (@sterns_haschen) June 23, 2023
Go on champ do well