(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Indian selectors recently announced the 15-member squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in which they included KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan as the wicket-keepers.
The selectors didn’t give a chance to the Sanju Samson, who at first was being kept as the back-up option to Rahul.
Former India cricketer S Sreesanth opined that selectors made the right choice by not picking Samson as he didn’t follow the suggestions of former cricketers and cricket analysts who constantly guided him to change his batting style.
“I think it’s the right decision because it’s very important for a player to understand himself. From Gavaskar sir to Harsha Bhogle sir and Ravi Shastri sir, everyone rates him highly. There’s no doubt about his ability. But the approach… he doesn’t listen when someone asks him to play according to pitch. He can change that attitude,” said Sreesanth in a chat with Sportskeeda.
“Whenever I meet him, I tell him just one thing: “Sanju, please read the wicket. Wait, don’t go after every bowler. Think. You can hit anyone anywhere anytime, just wait for the opportunity,” he added.
Sreesanth further revealed that he had told Samson to make the most out of the opportunities he receives.
“I’ll say, ‘Waqt kiske liye nahi rukta’ (time doesn’t stop for anyone). Everyone talks about time, I’ll also tell the same to Sanju. A lot of good people are coming in. Even the two keepers going for the Asia Games (Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma). When everyone’s talking about you, make it count. Getting sympathy is very easy, but appreciation is difficult,” he concluded.
The 28-year-old Samson, who is not part of the World Cup squad, made his ODI debut in July 2021 against Sri Lanka. He has played 13 ODIs for India, scoring 390 runs with an average of 55.71.