Why India should leave Samson on bench for Jitesh? Deep Dasgupta explains

Yes, it has not been an ideal few months for Sanju Samson in international cricket. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, Samson’s chances of finding a place in the XI look bleak. How did this happen to someone who had been clearing the ropes at will in the T20I format until late last year?

Sanju Samson has endured a roller-coaster ride in international cricket that many would dread. After making his debut in 2015 at the age of 21, he had to wait five more years for another opportunity in the T20I side. Despite amassing runs in the IPL, a return to the senior national team continued to elude him until he eventually got his break in 2020. However, consistent opportunities remained few and far between.

It was only during Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach that Samson finally received a steady run. Even though he had played a considerable number of T20Is before the 2024 T20 World Cup, Samson warmed the benches as the reserve wicketkeeper during India’s historic campaign. He was always on the fringes but never quite able to force the door open.