Picture Credit: Twitter
Hardik Pandya-led Team India registered a dominating series win on Tuesday after the third and final match of the series was tied with teams score leveled on DLS method. The Men in Blue however clinched the series 1-0 after they won the second T20I with 65 runs.
While this win got back the happy faces in the Indian camp after a disappointing exit from the T20 world Cup 2022 earlier this month. Apart from this, a lot of eyebrows were raised at the decision to not include Sanju Samson in the entire series. While some hailed his performance in the Indian colours, a few others slammed the management for not picking him up in the Playing XI.
Now, stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya has revealed the reason behind keeping his fellow teammate out of the XI in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand.
“Sanju Samson is an unfortunate case. We had to play him but for some strategic reason, we couldn’t play him,” said Hardik Pandya. “I can understand that if I stand in his shoes that even if you are continuously benched for India. It is difficult, as much as I speak to them, it’s no consolation for not playing, but at the same time, if I keep a healthy atmosphere, it’s fine,” he further added.
Watch the video here:
Talking about the wicketkeeper batter’s performance in T20Is, the 28-year-old has played only 6 matches in 2022 and has scored 179 runs, scoring a half-century that came against Ireland on June 28.
Team India will not play three-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Shikhar Dhawan taking the charge at the helm.