Former India selector explains why Sanju Samson doesn't get consistent run with India 

Sanju Samson (Image credit: Twitter)

The Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals have made a strong start to the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), sitting atop the points table after winning four of their six games. With several world-class players in the squad, the last year's finalists appear to be on track for another successful season. Even though the 2008 champions have legends like Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga as instructors, Samson's cool captaincy and excellent batting efforts played a significant role in their great campaign last season.

The Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter has had a consistent outing for the Royals in 2022 IPL, scoring 458 runs at an impressive strike rate of 146 from 17 matches. Samson, who has scored 159 runs in six matches so far with two half-centuries, is looking forward to another great season with the bat. The 28-year-old is one of the few players in the current Indian cricket team with the ability to play some big hitting, and we saw a glimpse of his power against Rashid Khan, where he hammered the spin wizard for three consecutive sixes in the RR vs GT clash.

Despite his impressive performances in the IPL, Samson has not had a consistent run with Team India and his inconsistency with the bat has always been blamed for that. The RR skipper has represented his national team in 11 ODIs and 17 T20Is since his debut. It is true that he did not make an impression in his early chances with the Men in Blue, but questions have always been raised about how many times the Indian Cricket Board has backed him.

He wasn't able to make a mark: Ex-India selector

During an interview with Hindustan Times, former India selector Sarandeep Singh was asked about Samson's lack of opportunities in the Indian team. Samson was given chances in T20Is during Sarandeep's tenure, but he failed to deliver an impressive innings.

“Sanju Samson got his chances as an opener in T20Is when we were selectors. We gave him a proper chance. But at that time, he wasn't really able to make a mark. In the fifty-over games, he played in the middle-order and his performances were good. But what happens is, during the same time, there are other wicketkeeper-batters who perform well as well,” he said.

When asked if Samson needs an IPL title as captain to cement his claim for the first-choice role in the national team, Sarandeep, an IPL commentator and Expert on JioCinema, said that would not help him either.

“I don't necessarily believe that winning the IPL title would help his case. Because you may win the IPL, but what if you don't score enough runs in the season? So, performances are the only criteria. If you're scoring 700-800 runs in an IPL season, you will definitely get picked. Yes, winning the IPL title is important, but only performances can get you picked,” the 43-year-old added.