Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim wants Sanju Samson to bat at number three in the ongoing five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Karim noted that Samson has done well while batting at one down and he should grab his opportunity with both hands.
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli no longer part of the T20I format after their retirement, two batting positions are up for grabs in the playing XI.
Meanwhile, Samson was initially picked for the Zimbabwe T20Is but had to return back home. Samson will join the Indian squad for the last three matches.
Speaking to Sony Sports, Saba Karim said, “Because I feel in this series, if he’s available, he should get to play all five T20Is, and that also number three. Because that’s the kind of spot which he prefers and where he has done well. I think it will throw up multiple options for the selectors, going forward, and it will be good to see.
“These are exciting times for Indian cricket because now the transition will start from the Zimbabwe Series and there are a number of newcomers who would want to cement their place in the side, even for the wicketkeeper slot. So I know that they have, the selectors, tried out the number three.”
The former Indian selector added that Samson needs to come up with consistent performances to get his chances.
“He has done well in patches. He may get some more opportunities at that number. There is a strong possibility that they may want to bring him back down the order.”
“So there are a number of options available, but I think yes, if Sanju Samson gets get to play five T0Is here, then at least going forward, if he does well, then he’ll get many more opportunities at that number because he is rich in talent. He’s got loads of experience now. He led the RR side quite well last season in the IPL, so there are some great challenges ahead for Samson.”
Samson scored 531 runs in 15 innings at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46, with five half-centuries in IPL 2024 but didn’t play a single game in the T20 World Cup as the team preferred Rishabh Pant ahead of him.
