Sanju Samson turns into bowler to forge his way into India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Sanju Samson has been one of the most unfortunate cricketers in India. With all the kind and talent he has, the keeper-batter has got limited opportunities and in that too he hasn’t been able to make a mark, which has led to his omission. 

Sanju Samson, however, is still in the scheme of things in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024, which will be played in the United States of America and Caribbean in June. The keeper-batter will have a point to prove in IPL and if he has a good season in league he no doubt will make it into the team. 

However, it won’t be easy for him, considering the kind of competition that is there. With the likes of Jitesh Sharma, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and potentially Rishabh Pant,  Sanju Samson will have to do something extraordinary to make it into the team. The keeper-batter did exactly that and surprised many. 

During the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B game between Kerala and Bengal at the St Xavier’s College Ground, Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram, Sanju Samson was seen rolling his arm. The keeper-batter for the second time in his career bowled in the Ranji career. 

The keeping responsibility was taken by Mohammed Azharuddeen as Sanju Samson took the ball, as per Hindustan Times. The keeper-batter bowled an over and gave away only 11 runs without picking a wicket. His team later went on to win the game by defeating Bengal by 109 runs. 

Sanju Samson wasn’t part of the India squad for the T20I series against Australia at home followed by the series against South Africa. But he hit a magnificent century in the ODI series against Proteas and made selectors pick him in the T20I series against Afghanistan. 

Sanju Samson, however, couldn’t turn the game on his head as he bagged a golden duck. He now would be hoping to turn the tables in IPL 2024. He will be captaining the Rajasthan Royals and along with his batting, he would be looking to help his team win the second title. 

You cannot write off Sanju Samson – Suresh Raina 

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina recently shared his opinion on Sanju Samson’s selection for the T20 World Cup 2024. He believes that after that kind of century he scored in South Africa, one cannot write off keeper-batter. 

Suresh Raina pointed out that Sanju Samson can play pick-up shots in the middle over and can be the X factor for the team. In an interaction with Hindustan Times, he explained: 

“You cannot write off Samson after the hundred he scored in the ODI match against South Africa. He is a fearless batter, a good wicketkeeper, and a captaincy material. He has always performed every time he is given an opportunity. Then there is Jitesh Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ishan Kishan. 

There will be a big call. But I would prefer Samson because, in the middle overs, he plays excellent pick-up shots. I guess IPL will also play a crucial role in the selection process. He could be the X-factor for India in the World Cup,” he explained.