ICC World Cup 2023: "Sanju Samson Is Ready For World Cup" - Mohammad Kaif Makes Massive Statement

Published - 03 Aug 2023, 08:15 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:16 AM

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Sanju Samson Photo Credit: (BCCI)

Sanju Samson’s quickfire 50 in testing conditions impressed former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif. After failing to score big in the first second ODI, Samson scored 51 off 41 balls and played his part in taking India to 351/5 in 50 overs in the 3rd ODI.

India won the match by 200 runs with their batting order flexing their muscles in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Samson scored his runs batting at number four position which has been open to debate in Indian cricket for several years now.

At a recent book launch, the former Indian cricketer backed Samson to play at number four in the World Cup in case the likes of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are not fit for the mega event. The BCCI medical team recently said that both are not yet fully fit for the Asia Cup and will miss the tournament in all likelihood.

Massively Impressed By Sanju Samson: Mohammad Kaif

“I am massively impressed by Samson. He played an impactful knock, whether at four or five, he has done it in the past,” Kaif told reporters on the launch of Amrit Mathur’s book Pitchside.

He further said that Samson needs to be sent at number four as the likes of Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel are not good players of spin and that the batting position needs a player who can play the spinners positively. Samson hit four sixes during his knock showing positive footwork against the West Indies spinners. He further backed Samson to be considered for the number four position in the upcoming World Cup.

“Sending Kishan or Axar Patel in the middle-order is not a great idea. You need some who can play left-arm spin, leg spin and Samson can do that. His knock in the third ODI came under pressure and he is ready for the World Cup,” added Kaif, who played 125 ODIs for Team India from 2002 to 2006.

Samson and Kishan are both part of the Indian T20I squad for the five-match series. They are fighting for the specialist keeper’s slot and their performances in this five-match series are expected to be closely monitored. The first T20I will be played in Trinidad on August 3.

Tagged:

ICC World Cup 2023 IND vs WI 2023 India National Cricket Team Mohammad Kaif Sanju Samson
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