'One player was ready but...' - Former Indian cricketer makes huge statement on Sanju Samson post India's 20-20 World Cup exit

Sanju Samson (Source: Twitter)

India are set to hit the reset button when it comes to the T20 side, India will start on a new sojourn when they play New Zealand in a three-match T20 series. The side will be led by Hardik Pandya as the senior players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been given a break for the entire series. In the last T20 series, India beat New Zealand 5-0 in 2020.

Sanju Samson is present in the squad and most likely will play in the middle order for the Men in Blue, strangely enough, his T20I career is yet to take off having scored 296 runs in 7 years and has represented India in just 16 matches in the shortest format of the game so far. Now he will look to be consistent in this series.

Mohammad Kaif had said that Samson was always in contention for a slot in the T20I setup of the Indian team, but he was not given an opportunity in the 20-20 World Cup in Australia. “Speaking of the future, I think one player was ready, but was still not picked for the World Cup. Sanju Samson was ready for the No.5 position. He has been playing Indian T20 League for many years and has been leading Rajasthan as well. He guided them to the final too this year,” Kaif told Sportskeeda.

Sanju Samson has an attacking mindset - Mohammad Kaif

On the other hand, Samson has been a prolific run scorer in the Indian T20 League where he has scored 3526 runs in nine years at an average of 29.14 and a strike rate of 135.71. “Samson played match-winning knocks in West Indies. When 2-3 wickets fall, he comes in and attacks. He has the ability to take on spinners and hit them for fours and sixes. He was ready but was not picked for the World Cup. That was a mistake,” Kaif added.

India failed to reach yet another semi-final in a World event as they crashed out by 10 wickets against England. The Indian bowling attack was clueless on the day of the semi-final as they could not break apart a 170-run opening stand between Alex Hales and Jason Roy after being kept down to just 168-6 by the England bowlers in their 20 overs.