‘Ye Mumbai lobby bhi na’ – Fans react as Sanju Samson gets neglected in first ODI against West Indies

The first ODI between India and West Indies is taking place in Bridgetown. India won the toss and elected to bowl first on a track which has some extra bounce. India announced the playing XI and has the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.  

The playing XI of India is pretty good. At the top, Rohit Sharma provides stability and Shubman Gill can accelerate at the other end. The middle order has the likes of Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. The bowling lineup is good with the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, and Mukesh Kumar.  

Sanju Samson neglected in the playing XI

In a surprising move, the wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson was not selected for the playing XI. Ishan Kishan was demoted to number 4 and played over Sanju Samson. It is important to note that the wicketkeeper batter from Kerala has not failed in ODIs till now. On the other hand, the 25-year-old Ishan Kishan has not much to show for himself apart from the double hundred against Bangladesh.  

The 28-year-old has played 11 ODIs for India and scored 330 runs at an exceptional average of 66.00, at a great strike rate of 104.76 playing mostly in the lower middle order. Samson also has 2 fifty to his name. On the other hand, Kishan has played 13 matches and scored 510 runs at an average of 42.50, at a strike rate of 106.03, including a double hundred and 3 fifty.   

While Ishan Kishan has good numbers overall, it is important to see his numbers at number 4, where he is asked to bat. At number 4, Kishan has played 6 innings and scored 106 runs at an average of just 21.20, at a strike rate of only 67.09, with a fifty to his name. The selection of Ishan Kishan over Sanju Samson does seem a controversial one. 

Here’s how the fans reacted to the playing XI of India –