Sanju Samson should have been included in India’s T20 World Cup squad – Danish Kaneria

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria reckons Sanju Samson should have been included in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Samson was not included in the Asia Cup and didn’t get his chance for the T20I showpiece.

Samson is known to hit the ground running and he is always a treat to the eyes when he gets going. The right-hander from Kerala had a decent run in IPL 2022 as he scored 458 runs in 17 matches at an average of 28.63 and a strike rate of 146.79.

However, Samson didn’t get his chance consistently for the Indian team in the T20I format despite performing well for Rajasthan Royals. The flamboyant batter was part of the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.

Kaneria said he would have picked Sanju Samson ahead of Rishabh Pant in the T20 World Cup squad.

​​”It is a bit unfair for someone like Sanju Samson. He should have been considered for the T20 World Cup squad. What has he done wrong to not find a place? He had also been ignored for India’s home series against Australia and South Africa. I would have gone for Samson instead of Rishabh Pant,” Kaneria said on his official YouTube channel.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma had earlier stated that Sanju Samson’s backfoot play will be imperative in Australia.

Rohit had said, “Samson’s back-foot play is superb, some of the shots you must have seen during the IPL, the pick-up pull, the cut shots, standing and delivering over bowler’s head.

“Those kinds of shots are not easy to play and I believe when we go to Australia, you need those kinds of shot-making ability and Samson does has it in him. I just hope that he utilises his potential to the maximum.”

On the other hand, Kaneria feels Umran Malik, who has impressed with his raw pace, could have been included in the standby players list.

“India could have kept Umran Malik as one of the standby players as the Indian batters would have got to practice against a bowler who can consistently bowl quick.

Former leg-spinner went on to add that while Virat Kohli has returned back to form, batters like Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul should also score big for the team in the T20I showpiece.

“While Virat Kohli has returned to form, the likes of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul must score big runs. Otherwise, their campaign will be the same as it was at the Asia Cup,” Kaneria added.