sanju

Picture Credit: BCCI

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson could make his way into the playing XI of the Indian team in the second T20I against Ireland, according to sources. Samson wasn’t included in the first T20I which led to a lot of uproar on the internet as fans heavily scrutinised the decision. The Kerala-based batter had a great IPL season as he scored 458 runs from 17 games with a strike rate of 135.72 and an average of 29.14

Former India bowler and Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra also seconded the idea of playing Sanju Samson along with Rahul Tripathi who could replace Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. While speaking during the pre-match show, Nehra said, “No, it’s not a tough call at all.”

“Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi have come in place of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. Deepak Hooda was already in the squad. Even Venkatesh Iyer didn’t play a match against South Africa. And the kind of performance Deepak Hooda put in the IPL and in the Ranji Trophy, the whole season he scored runs, then in the IPL also. He certainly deserved a chance”

Similarly, Sanju Samson’s selection could also come with Ruturaj Gaikwad failing to open the innings with Ishan Kishan as he was visibly in discomfort because of a calf niggle. This led to Deepak Hooda’s promotion to open the innings, where he seized the opportunity and scored 47 runs in 29 balls with three fours and two sixes. So Samson could possibly slot in to replace Ruturaj Gaikwad and takes his place in the middle order. 

For me, a player's health is more important: Pandya

Addressing Gaikwad’s injury, India captain Hardik Pandya talked about how the team prioritised the player’s health. Pandya said, “Ruturaj had a calf niggle, and we had a chance to send him out by taking some risk. But I was not okay. For me a player's health is more important, the match will take care of itself."