The timing could not have been better than this for Sanju Samson. Indian star Vijay Hazare was playing for Kerala in the fifth round of the trophy and he scored a brilliant century against Jharkhand. Just before the team selection for the New Zealand ODI tour, this innings will bring him back on the radar of selectors for ODIs.
The Indian team is considering the place of backup wicketkeeper in the Indian team. Rishabh Pant has been in the role for a long time but has not played a single match and hence, the selectors are eyeing someone who can get an alternative role besides replacing Rahul in the Indian XI.
The change is likely to be made from the upcoming series against New Zealand starting on January 11 and the squad is likely to be announced any time this week.
Sanju Samson issues ultimatum to Ajit Agarkar with VHT century
Chasing a record target of 312 runs against Jharkhand, Kerala managed to chase the target easily with 8 wickets remaining in their innings. The Indian wicketkeeper opened the innings for Kerala along with captain Rohan Kunnumal.
In the match, both the opening batsmen gave a great start to Kerala by making a brilliant partnership of 212 runs, in which Kunnummal played a destructive role in the team, he scored 124 runs in just 78 balls with the help of 8 fours and 11 sixes.
Sanju Samson ensured his control over the innings and managed to bring stability to the innings as well as show his intentions, as the innings he played will force the selectors to take notice of him on the eve of team selection. Sanju Samson was successful in scoring 101 runs in just 95 balls with the help of 9 fours and 3 sixes.
Sanju Samson’s century comes after Ishan Kishan’s quiet outing
Sanju Samson’s century comes at a time when Ishan Kishan, the most likely candidate to replace Rishabh Pant, was at peace with his state team, Jharkhand. Kishan has been in great form since the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which he continued in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well.
Kishan recently made a comeback to the ICC T20 World Cup squad for India; However, in the same match where Samson scored his century, Kishan was out after scoring 21 runs off just 21 balls. Kishan has scored 933 runs in 27 ODI matches at an average of 42.41 and strike rate of 102. He also has a double century in his name for India in ODI cricket.
He is included in the team along with KL Rahul to replace Rishabh Pant as the backup wicketkeeper. Rahul has become an irreplaceable bowler in the Indian ODI team.
Rishabh Pant has reminded everyone of his importance in the white ball with his form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Left-handed wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant has not played a single ODI for India since the last ODI against Sri Lanka in 2024. Nevertheless, he has been a part of all the ODI series for India as a backup option and despite not playing a single match, he has also won the Champions Trophy with the Indian team.
Rishabh Pant is captaining Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His first half-century came while chasing in the second game of the tournament, and then recently he followed it up with 72 off just 45 balls against Services.
Pant has also played 31 ODI matches for the Indian team and has managed to score 871 runs with a strike rate of 106 and an average of 33.5. KL Rahul is the main wicketkeeper and a very good batsman for India in ODIs, the return to form of Kishan, Dhruv Jurel and now Sanju Samson has given wings to the Indian side.
Also read: Ruturaj Gaikwad broke Virat Kohli’s all-time record, became India’s number 1 List A batsman.