The cricketing world has been buzzing with debates over Sanju Samson's exclusion from India's World Cup squad. Notably, former India pacer S Sreesanth has voiced his opinion, stating that the decision to omit Samson is justified.
Despite having played fewer than 50 international matches, Samson's ODI statistics are impressive. He has amassed 390 runs in 12 innings of 13 ODIs, boasting an enviable average of 55.71 and a strike rate of 104.00. However, the path for Samson in the Indian cricket team hasn't been smooth. His journey is characterized by fluctuating form and a constant struggle to cement his position amidst fierce competition.
His recent outing during the West Indies tour in July-August 2023 mirrored this inconsistency. While he showcased his talent with a notable half-century in his last ODI, accumulating 60 runs in two matches, his T20I performance fell short of expectations, with only 32 runs from three innings.
Sreesanth weighed in on the discussion, stating that the World Cup snub was appropriate. He emphasized that Samson often overlooks valuable advice about tailoring his gameplay according to the pitch conditions.
"I think it's the right decision because it's very important for a player to understand himself," Sreesanth said in an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda.
"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.
"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.
Furthermore, Sreesanth highlighted the need for Samson to evolve. He remarked that it's high time the Kerala batter, who's not a rookie anymore, grabs opportunities presented to him and lives up to his potential.
"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," Sreesanth said.
The World Cup exclusion may be a wake-up call for Samson to reflect, recalibrate, and return stronger.
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