IND v SL: Sanju Samson In Consideration For T20 World Cup 2022- Rohit Sharma; Laments Absence of Suryakumar Yadav

India captain Rohit Sharma heaped praises on talented Sanju Samson and also revealed that the batter-keeper is in consideration for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia later this year. Samson will be seen in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka as he was named in the India squad that is missing quite a few names.

The Indian team will be missing quite a few names for the Sri Lanka T20I series with Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Shardul Thakur being rested and Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Chahar getting ruled out due to injuries. Sanju Samson has been included in the T20I squad.

Rohit also opened up on the return of Sanju Samson for the Sri Lanka series, saying the Kerala wicketkeeper is talented and has got the skill set to succeed. He also revealed that the Kerala cricketer is in team management’s plans for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year due to his brilliant backfoot game.

“Samson has got talent man, whenever you see him bat in the IPL, he has produced that innings where everyone goes over the moon watching that innings, he has got the skillset to succeed. That is the whole point about the sport, a lot of people have skill and talent, how you utilise it is the most critical part,” said Rohit in a virtual press conference.

“It is now up to Sanju Samson how he wants to use that talent and maximise it because as team management, we see a lot of potential and a lot of talent in that individual. I hope we give him that confidence whenever he gets an opportunity. He is definitely into consideration and that is why he is part of the team. His backfoot play is superb. When you go to Australia, you need that shot-making ability, Samson has it in him. I just hope he utilises his potential,” he added.

Suryakumar Yadav’s Injury Is A Big Setback: Rohit Sharma

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma lamented the unavailability of two of their star performers of the West Indies series in Deepak Chahar and Suryakumar Yadav, who both have been ruled out of the Sri Lanka T20I games due to their respective injuries.

“Deepak sustained a right quadriceps injury during bowling while Suryakumar suffered a hairline fracture during a fielding attempt in the third and final T20I against the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday. They will now head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further management of their injuries,” the BCCI statement read.

Rohit Sharma called Suryakumar’s injury a huge setback for the team, given that he was the Player of the Series in West Indies T20I matches. He sustained a hairline fracture in his hand while fielding in slips in the second innings after scoring a 31-ball 65 in the first innings.

“A big setback. He was in great form but there are so many guys waiting for an opportunity. At the same time, I am sad for Surya. A freak injury. You can’t control these things,” Rohit Sharma told reporters in the presser ahead of the T20I series vs Sri Lanka.

The first T20I between the two sides will be played in Lucknow on February 24, 2022.

Also Read: IND vs SL: It Is A Huge Honour And It Is Always A Great Feeling To Be Captaining India In All Three Formats – Rohit Sharma