T20 World Cup 2022: "Sanju Samson Could Be Better Option Over Rishabh Pant" - Danish Kaneria

Updated - 20 Sep 2022, 04:45 PM

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-man squad led by Rohit Sharma for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia next month.

The young wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson failed to make the World Cup squad. The Indian team selectors have chosen Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik as wicket keepers. Some senior cricketers criticized the team management for not including Sanju Samson in the team.

Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson, Image Credits: Twitter

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has made sensational comments, saying the BCCI made a big mistake by selecting Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022.

Rishabh Pant Doesn’t Look Like Good T20 Player – Danish Kaneria

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaneria claimed that Pant got a chance in the team because of his friendship with the senior members of the team.

Danish Kaneria Sanju Samson
Image Source – Twitter

“India must keep their friendships aside and not pick players on that basis. Rishabh Pant doesn’t look like a good T20 player. He is more suited to 50-over cricket and Test matches.”

Sanju Samson Better Option Over Rishabh Pant – Danish Kaneria

Kaneria suggested that the left-hander should not be the first choice, given Rishabh Pant’s poor performances in recent times.

“Sanju Samson could be a better option over Rishabh Pant. Pant’s recent performances also haven’t been that great and Dinesh Karthik is also already there in the team.”

The former Pakistan cricketer said that Sanju Samson would have been a better option for India because of his hand-eye coordination.

“Samson deserved to be a part of the team. He was impressive when India toured Australia in 2020. His hand-eye coordination is very good. The wickets in Australia would have suited his playing style. Pant is no doubt a very good player, but I don’t think he should be a part of India’s T20 team at the moment, “he added.

Sanju Samson Will Lead India A For The First Time

Sanju Samson has been named the captain of the India A team for the first time in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand A. The first match will be played in Chennai on Thursday, September 22 and the remaining matches will be played on the 25th and 27th September.

Kaneria remarked that Sanju Samson was not picked for the series against Australia because he would’ve scored more runs and make it difficult for the Indian selectors.

“If Sanju Samson had been a part of India’s squad for the Australia series, he would have surely performed well. This would have added more pressure on the Indian selectors as many fans have already been vocal about their displeasure over his absence from the T20 World Cup team.

“This is why they made him the captain of India A instead. India will definitely miss Samson at the World Cup.”

The Men in Blue will play Australia in the first T20I series match on Tuesday, September 20 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.

Also read: IND vs AUS: “Wasim Akram Told Him ‘If You Think You’re Perfect Don’t Come To Me”’: Arshdeep Singh Coach’s Jaswant Rai Revealed Story

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ICC T20 World Cup 2022 India National Cricket Team Rishabh Pant Sanju Samson