The Irish Sequel: Why Sanju Samson Was Ousted from the 2020 New Zealand Cricket Team

As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the chance to see Sanju Samson once more in the blue jersey, the decision of not selecting him for the 2020 New Zealand cricket tour has sparked considerable debate. The team's captain, Hardik Pandya, has addressed the issue, offering insights into the team selection criteria.

Hardik Pandya's Perspective

Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Indian cricket team, was notably direct when asked about Sanju Samson's absence from the 2020 New Zealand cricket tour, stating, 'What people are saying from outside it doesn't matter much at this level. This is my team firstly. The coach and I will pick the team we feel is right.' Pandya further elaborated, emphasizing the importance of sticking with a proven team configuration.

The captain continued, 'There is a lot of time, everyone will get a chance when one gets a chance, he will get a long run. If it was a longer series with more matches, obviously, opportunities would have been given. But when it is a short series, I don’t believe in chop and change and in the future, also, I would not believe.' These statements suggest that the team's selection process is more about maintaining consistent performance and less about giving smaller opportunities.

Cricket Enthusiasts' Reaction

Cricket fans, both casual and serious, have been vocal about their disappointment regarding Samson’s omission. Many believe that with the absence of key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, Sanju should have had the opportunity to prove himself. However, the decision to bring him to New Zealand and not give him a chance to play signifies a different strategy used by the team management.

Some fans have also made their views clear on why Pant was preferred over Samson. A fervent supporter of Samson argues, 'Only the team management can tell us the truth. I felt he should have been played as an opener in the 3rd game instead of Pant, otherwise, why take him all the way to New Zealand and return without Samson having played a single T20 game.' This raised eyebrows as the strategic decision remains unclear to many fans.

Expert Analysis and Future Prospects

Experts in the cricket community are also divided in their opinions. Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian national team, has been known to prefer Pant over Sanju Samson. Despite this, unless Kohli supports Samson, his position in the team might not be secure. One expert noted, 'It is difficult to pinpoint one reason. But its unfortunate that Sanju, despite having loads of talent, is not a part of the Indian team. He should have been a regular in the T20s at least. There are very few players who have scored two centuries in IPL and have not been a regular member of the Indian team at the international stage.' This view suggests that Samson's talent has not been adequately recognized.

Another expert offered more nuanced insights, 'One of the reasons is the fact that the Indian team is already packed with hugely talented players. To squeeze into such a team is very difficult. Secondly, whenever one does get an opportunity, one needs to grab it with both hands and build on it. It was heartbreaking to see that Sanju could not capitalize on the opportunity that he got in the last T20 against Sri Lanka.' This highlights the need for consistent performance and quick grasp of opportunities.

Samson, an Irish-born cricketer, has shown immense talent and potential but has yet to fully seize his chances. His fans remain hopeful that he will soon make his mark in the international arena, perhaps in the upcoming matches or tournaments. 'I sincerely hope he will make his mark in the international arena very soon,' concludes a hopeful commentator. The journey for Sanju Samson continues, and only time will tell if his path to the Indian national team will be smooth or bumpy.