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Captain KL Rahul recently acknowledged the challenges faced by Sanju Samson in securing a regular spot in the national team, despite his exceptional talent. Rahul highlighted the difficulty for players like Samson to break into the playing XI due to the presence of established cricketers in key positions. However, he expressed satisfaction over Samson seizing his opportunity during the recent series against South Africa.
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"Pleased for Sanju, he's been a phenomenal performer in the IPL over the years. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to give him the chance at No. 3, because obviously there are stalwarts in the ODIs who occupy those key spots," said Rahul
"Glad he was able to grab his chances here," said Rahul following the big win," he added.
In the third and final ODI against the Proteas, which took place on Thursday, Samson was promoted to bat at the crucial No.3 position. He capitalized on this opportunity by scoring his first ODI century, a pivotal contribution that played a significant role in India clinching the series 2-1 with a 78-run victory.
Samson’s impressive innings of 108 off 114 balls, combined with Tilak Varma's steady 52 off 77 balls, propelled India to a strong total of 296 for 8. In response, South Africa put up a fight, mainly through Tony de Zorzi’s valiant 81 off 87 balls, but eventually fell short, getting all out for 218 in 45.5 overs.
Samson's chance in the deciding match came as he didn't get to bat in the first ODI due to a low target set by South Africa. In the second ODI, batting at No.5, he managed to score 12 runs. The absence of Virat Kohli from the ODI side provided Samson with the opportunity to bat higher up the order in the series decider.
Rahul's comments underline the depth of talent in Indian cricket, where even highly skilled players like Samson have to wait for their chance to shine. Samson's performance in the final ODI against South Africa not only showcased his potential but also demonstrated his ability to adapt to different batting positions and situations, making a strong case for his inclusion in future matches.
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