IND vs WI: Not Trying To Be Too Harsh - Saba Karim's Bold Statement After Sanju Samson's Failure In 2nd ODI

Former Indian player Saba Karim gave a bold take on Sanju Samson’s place in the team following the dismal outing in the second ODI against West Indies at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. He said that he’s a reluctant keeper-batter and if management wants to play him in the middle order he should be played there. 

Indian team management has kept many guessing in the ongoing ODI series against West Indies. They are testing players and doing quite a few experiments in the batting order. It’s fair to say that this hasn’t worked and has raised more questions with World Cup less than three months away from now. 

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In the second ODI, India rested Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson, who missed the first game was into the mix. He didn’t keep the wickets but batted at No.3 whereas Suryakumar Yadav, who batted at the same position in the first game was demoted to No.6. 

Of late team management has faced a lot of flak for not giving opportunities to Sanju Samson and it was expected that he would make the most of the opportunity and will set the stage on fire. But this didn’t happen as he failed to prove his worth and was back in the hut for a low total. 

Sanju Samson had a great opportunity to score big and shine in the pressure situation but he succumbed to the pressure as he was caught up on the backfoot to a turning leg break from Yannic Cariah.

He was left confused about whether to leave or play and hung up his bat as a result of which ball caught the outside edge and was pouched by Brandon King at slip. He batted for 19 balls and didn’t strike a single boundary. 

Saba Karim said that he doesn’t want to be harsh on Sanju Samson because he hasn’t got a consistent run. He remarked that if he is in the plans for the team then he should bat in the middle.

Speaking on Jio Cinema, he said: “Sanju Sanju Samson is a reluctant wicketkeeper. By saying that, I am not trying to be too harsh. I have found him far more efficient as a batter than as a wicketkeeper-batter.

“Let’s not be too harsh. Samson has not got any consistent run at a particular position. If you are thinking of him as a no. 4 or no. 5 in the middle-order, he should be played there.” 

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IND vs WI: You are confusing everybody – Saba Karim on India’s batting order 

Saba Karim further pointed out that Ishan Kishan, who struck two half-centuries in two games, will not open the innings in the World Cup despite scoring runs and highlighted that management has kept everyone confused.

He explained: “Here you are confusing everybody. When KL Rahul comes in, I am sure Ishan Kishan will not be opening. Now, even if does well while opening the innings what will it do? He will not open the innings in the World Cup.” 

India suffered a disappointing 6-wicket loss in the second ODI against West Indies. The experiment has failed and it remains to be seen if they continue the same in the next game or not on Tuesday (1st August).

Also read: IND vs WI: “He Will Probably Get One More Opportunity In The Third ODI” – Wasim Jaffer On Suryakumar Yadav