India’s stand-in ODI skipper made two major changes in the playing XI for the second ODI against New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Sanju Samson, who has been in the news for a while now, was replaced by Deepak Hooda despite the former’s decent outing in the first ODI with a 38-ball 36. After the incessant rain robbed fans of a result in the second ODI, Dhawan explained why Samson warmed the benches.
“We wanted the sixth bowler to come in, so Sanju Samson missed out and Hooda came in,” Dhawan told the broadcasters.
Samson supporters and to an extent Indian cricket followers have been exasperated by the lack of game time for Samson, despite some of the big names being rested from the New Zealand tour. The stylish wicket-keeper batter didn't feature in even a single T20I game during the three-match series against the Black Caps while he was axed from the playing XI for the second ODI.
Samson, who has a massive fan base, received support from Indian fans in Qatar, currently enjoying the FIFA World Cup. In a photo shared by Rajasthan Royals on their Twitter handle, fans are seen holding banners inside a football stadium in Qatar showing support for Samson.
"Lots of love from Qatar we support you #SanjuSamson," read one of the banners while the other banner read "Regardless of the match, the team, or the player, we are with you...Sanju Samson."
"If they are sitting out... Sanju Samson, for example: we wanted to play him, but for whatever reason, we could not. But I can get into their shoes and understand how they are feeling. As a cricketer, it is difficult, whatever one might say,” India's stand-in T20I captain Hardik Pandya had stated earlier in the month.
"You are in the Indian team, but you are not getting a chance in the XI, so that's difficult. But if I can create a healthy environment, where the players can come and speak to me if they are feeling bad, or go and speak to the coach, if I remain the captain, I think it won't be a problem. Because my nature is such that I make sure everyone is together," Pandya said.
