(Source X)
Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has expressed optimism about Sanju Samson’s prospects in the Indian team. Karthik believes Samson possesses exceptional talent and foresees a promising future for him in Indian cricket.
Recently, during India’s tour of Sri Lanka, Sanju Samson featured in the T20I series where he served as the backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant. Samson’s chance came in the second T20I due to an injury to Shubman Gill. Despite the opportunity, Samson struggled, starting with a golden duck while opening the innings.
In the subsequent matches, including the third T20I which followed India’s series victory, Samson had another opportunity to showcase his skills. However, he faced disappointment again, being dismissed for another duck, concluding a challenging series where he struggled to make an impact with the bat.
Dinesh Karthik predicts Sanju Samson’s international cricket future.
In a discussion on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik addressed the issue of Sanju Samson’s limited chances in international cricket. Karthik highlighted the presence of Rishabh Pant, a top-quality wicketkeeper-batsman, which he believes poses a challenge for Samson to secure consistent opportunities on the Indian team.
“You have someone like Rishabh Pant and he has done pretty well in T20 cricket. It is going to be hard. But I can tell you one thing. Sanju Samson is a fighter. If he gets the opportunity, he is going to do phenomenally well,” Karthik said in the video posted by Cricbuzz on X (formerly Twitter).
Karthik emphasized that a single low score does not diminish Sanju Samson’s abilities as a player; in his view, Samson retains a unique talent that sets him apart. Looking ahead, Karthik confidently predicted that Samson will continue to excel and contribute significantly to India’s success in the future.
“Just because he got out in the second T20, doesn’t mean he had a bad series. I believe he is a special player. He is someone who is level-headed, handles situations well. He has a bright future. He is going to do well for India. I have no doubt about it,” Karthik added.
Sanju Samson disappoints in Sri Lanka series.
Samson was part of India’s victorious 15-member squad in the T20 World Cup 2024 held in June. Despite this achievement, his recent batting struggles and three dropped catches during the Sri Lanka series raise concerns about his future. India boasts several promising young wicketkeeper-batsmen waiting for their chance, with Dhruv Jurel recently making his T20I debut against Zimbabwe after gaining selectors’ confidence.
These developments serve as a warning for Sanju Samson. If he fails to capitalize on his opportunities, selectors may turn to younger alternatives like Dhruv Jurel, presenting a challenge for Samson to secure his place in the team.
