Picture Credit: X
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been dropped from Team India's playing XI against Australia for the third T20I in Hobart. In the second T20I in Melbourne, when Samson got the opportunity to bat at number three, he failed to be effective as pacer Nathan Ellis sent him back to the pavilion at his score of two off four. For the third T20I, India made three changes. Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana were replaced by Washington Sundar and Arshdeep Singh respectively while Samson was also dropped as the team management preferred Jitesh Sharma over the 30-year-old stumper.
Some netizen displayed their discontent over the team management's decision as they felt Sanju Samson should've been utilised as an opener instead of Shubman Gill, who is struggling to be among the runs. An X user named Varooooon wrote, "Instead of dropping Sanju Samson for Jitesh Sharma, India should have dropped out of form Shubham Gill and brought back Sanju as opener where he thrives. Completely unfair to #SanjuSamson #AUSvIND."
Tim David plays an exceptional knock for Australia
Bowling first after winning the toss, India got a fine start as Arshdeep Singh got rid of Travis Head (6 off 4) and Josh Inglis (1 off 7) in his initial two overs. Tim David (11 off 14), who came at number four, looked relentless and came heavily on the bowlers. Meanwhile Varun Chakaravarthy also took the scalps of Mitchell Marsh (11 off 14) and Mitchell Owen (0 off 1) but David looked unstoppable.
David's knock concluded in the 13th over as he got caught by Tilak Varma in the deep on Shivam Dube's delivery. The right-handed batter smashed 74 off just 38. His knock included 13 boundaries (eight fours and five maximums).
