Sanju Samson, India’s middle-order batter and wicketkeeper, was dropped for the second T20I between India and New Zealand on November 20, Sunday and fans were sceptical of the team management’s decision to snub Samson from the playing XI yet again. For the unversed, the talented batter was snubbed from the 20-20 World Cup 2022 and was rather selected for the New Zealand series.
Amid all the chaos, Ravi Shastri’s video about Samson started resurfacing on the internet, adding fuel to the fire. In the video, the former team India’s head coach can be seen backing the youngster and telling the presenters about giving him an opportunity to play for India.
“Look for other youngsters like Sanju Samson…do na chance. 10 match do usko. Aisa nehi ki do match khelaya and phir nikala. Baithao dusre logon ko. Do 10 match. Phir dekhna 10 match ke baad, decide karo ki aur opportunity dena hai ki nehi (Give him a chance. Give him 10 matches. Not like you play him in two games and then drop him. Drop the others, give him 10 matches and then take a call whether to give him more opportunities or not),” Shastri said in the video.
Watch the video here:
Give him 10 games in a row. Don't drop him after just two games. Make others sit out and play Samson for 10 games – Shastri
Only if BCCI had appointed someone like Shastri as coach…..wait… pic.twitter.com/bC2I8kIhm5
— ?nkit?? (@CaughtAtGully) November 19, 2022
India look to take early lead
As things stand, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson called it right at the toss and elected to field first. As one could expect, Rishabh Pant was sent in as the opener alongside southpaw Ishan Kishan.
However, the decision backfired yet again as Pant returned back to the pavilion after scoring 6 runs off 13 balls, much to the disappointment of the fans and team management.
India were reeling at 50/1 in 6.4 overs before rain interrupted the match with Kishan remaining unbeaten at 28 and Suryakumar Yadav at 6. The Men in Blue would hope to make a comeback post their solemn exit from the recently concluded multinational tournament. The Black Caps, on the other hand, would look to stop India and clinch the series.
