Former Indian opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth has questioned the team management for not backing Sanju Samson as an opener in the Asia Cup. In the team’s opening clash against the UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Wednesday, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma opened the innings.
India registered a thumping win of nine wickets after only 4.3 overs while chasing 58 runs. However, Srikkanth reckons the next three-four matches will be crucial for Samson, and if he doesn’t score runs, his place could be taken by Shreyas Iyer.
Samson had managed only 51 runs in five T20Is against England earlier in the year and Jitesh Sharma is also knocking on the playing XI door.
“I somehow feel by making Sanju bat at 5, they are making way for Shreyas Iyer to return to the side. Sanju hasn’t batted much at 5 and he shouldn’t bat at that position either. It will dent his confidence batting at No. 5. I am not too happy for him. To Sanju, I would warn him by saying that this is his last chance. I would also tell him if he fails to score in the next or three innings at this position, Shreyas Iyer will replace him,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel.
“They are playing Sanju Samson in the middle-order. Are they going to use him as the finisher? No. That’ll be Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. So, Samson will play at 5. Will he deliver? That’s a question mark. You’ve accommodated Sanju Samson ahead of Jitesh Sharma. It is fine for this Asia Cup but what will happen in the T20 World Cup?”
On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh was not included in the playing XI against the UAE as India played with only one genuine fast bowler in Jasprit Bumrah. The 1983 World Cup-winning player said it was a very strange decision.
“Very, very strange selection. Arshdeep Singh is the T20 player of the year and yet he didn’t feature in the 11. Of course, Pakistan is another mediocre side so this bowling attack should be enough for them. They’ll play the same 11 only against Pakistan. If I were the selector, the only way to convince Arshdeep Singh would be telling him that he is the world’s number one bowler but that these conditions are not suitable for him,” said Srikkanth.
India will next take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday.
