Cricket

As India embarks on a transitional phase in T20 cricket, a group of promising second-line stars are eager to seize their opportunity in the upcoming four-match series against South Africa. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma, and Varun Chakravarthy are among those hoping to establish themselves as first-choice players in the format.Samson, who has impressed as an opener in recent matches, will be keen to solidify his claim for a regular spot at the top of the order. Abhishek Sharma, known for his explosive batting, will aim to showcase his consistency and versatility with both bat and ball. Varma, after a promising start to his T20I career, will be eager to regain his form and prove his worth.Jitesh Sharma, who has slipped down the pecking order, will be determined to make an impact with his wicketkeeping and batting skills. Chakravarthy, who impressed against Bangladesh, will look to maintain his momentum and establish himself as a reliable spinner.The series also provides an opportunity for a new-look pace bowling unit, comprising Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Yash Dayal, to prove their mettle. While Arshdeep and Avesh have had their moments at the international level, Vijaykumar and Dayal will be eager to translate their domestic and IPL success into the international arena.Ramandeep Singh, who was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders after a productive IPL season, will be keen to replicate his all-round abilities. The senior players in the side, including skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel, will be hoping for a strong outing to help India bounce back from their recent home series defeat against New Zealand.South Africa, on the other hand, will be seeking revenge after losing to India in the T20 World Cup final in June. The Proteas will be led by Aiden Markram and will feature a mix of experienced and emerging players.

Legendary spinner Anil Kumble has raised concerns about Sanju Samson's consistency ahead of India's upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Samson, a wicketkeeper-batter, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but his ability to deliver consistently has been a question mark.Samson made his T20I debut in 2015 and has since played 33 matches, scoring 594 runs at a strike rate of 144.52. He has one century and two half-centuries to his name. However, his performances have been sporadic, with some impressive innings followed by periods of poor form.In the recent third T20I against Bangladesh, Samson showcased his batting prowess with a stunning 111 runs off just 47 deliveries. This performance has given him a boost of confidence, according to Kumble."There's been a lot of talk about keeping Sanju Samson in the team long-term, and that century he scored will certainly have given him a lot of confidence. We know the ability of Sanju Samson; he is a class act," Kumble said.However, Kumble believes that Samson needs to improve his consistency to become a regular member of the Indian team. He suggests that Samson should be given opportunities to bat in the top order, where he can make the most of his strong backfoot play and ability to handle fast bowlers and spinners."Consistency is a bit lacking, and I'm sure the Indian selectors are mindful of that. Placing him at the top of the innings, either at number one, two, or three, is where I believe he can truly add value to this team," Kumble added.India and South Africa will play a four-match T20I series starting on November 8 in Durban. The series will provide Samson with an opportunity to prove his worth and cement his place in the Indian team.

Rajasthan Royals' head coach Rahul Dravid has revealed that captain Sanju Samson played a pivotal role in the franchise's retention strategy for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Samson, who is the team's captain and wicketkeeper-batter, was the first pick of the franchise in the retentions, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma.Dravid explained the rationale behind retaining Samson as the No. 1 pick: "Sanju Samson is our batsman, wicketkeeper, and captain. He has been the captain of this team for many years. So, it was a no-brainer for us to retain him as he will be our captain in the future too. He was a top retainer pick for us and he was very involved in our decision process as well."The former Indian batter emphasized the importance of retaining core players for stability: "There is definitely a stability when you retain six players. We could only retain six players, but if we could have done more, we would have retained more for sure. We believe that the players we have retained are deserving. Of course, you have less money when you go to the auction, but there is a certain stability that you have blocked in some areas and then you can see how you have to make the whole team."Dravid praised Samson's role in the retention decisions: "Sanju Samson played a big role in the retention, and it was difficult for him as well. As a captain, he has built a lot of relationships with the players. He has had a lot of balanced views about this. He has taken the trouble to understand the dynamics of it, the pros and cons of this. So, I would like to praise him for discussing this with us. It was not an easy decision for us either."Regarding expectations for the upcoming season and the auction table, Dravid stated: "For the next season, the expectation will be that we qualify and win. It's been many years since Rajasthan has won a title. So, our effort will be to win, but we also understand that there are very good teams in IPL. The rules of the RTM have also changed a bit, so we will definitely get to see something different in this auction. In the auction, you have to do some preparation and planning, but there you have to show some flexibility. We have built a foundation for us, we have created a base, we have retained a core, we will take this forward and fill it and make a good squad."

Rajasthan Royals have finalized their retention list ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, with Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Sandeep Sharma set to remain with the franchise.Samson, the team's captain, has been a consistent performer for the Royals, leading them to the playoffs in IPL 2024. He scored 531 runs in the season, his highest tally in the IPL. Jaiswal, the young opener, has also been impressive, scoring 435 runs in IPL 2024. Parag, a versatile all-rounder, had a breakout season in 2024, scoring 573 runs and making his T20I debut for India.Sandeep Sharma, the experienced pacer, has been a key part of the Royals' bowling attack, taking 13 wickets in IPL 2024. He qualifies as an uncapped player due to not playing international cricket for five years.However, England's Jos Buttler and India's Yuzvendra Chahal, who were key players in the Royals' run to the finals in IPL 2022, are not part of the retention list. The Royals can still use their two right-to-match options to buy them back at the auction.The Royals are also considering retaining wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who has impressed with his cameos in the lower order. If Jurel is retained, the Royals will lose at least INR 65 crore from their overall purse, leaving them INR 55 crore at the auction.The IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each player retained, but the franchises are free to pay more or less than those amounts. The Royals will lose at least INR 47 crore from their purse for retaining four players.The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31. The teams can retain up to six players each, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players.

Sanju Samson's century in the third T20I against Bangladesh has reignited hopes of a permanent spot in the Indian team. After a disappointing start to the series, Samson's blistering knock sent a strong message to the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir.Samson's struggles in the first two matches had left him feeling hesitant to even make eye contact with Gambhir. However, the wicket-keeper batter was determined to prove his worth in Hyderabad."I was a bit hesitant to make eye contact with him [Gambhir] but I told myself that apna time aayega (my time will come)," Samson said in an interview.Samson's century was a testament to his talent and resilience. He opened the batting and played with aggression, hitting 12 fours and 5 sixes. His innings helped India chase down Bangladesh's total of 145 with ease.Samson's performance has also earned him praise from India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav."Me and Surya go a long way since we have played a lot of junior cricket together," Samson said. "We have spent a lot of time together discussing cricket."Samson's century has put him in contention for a place in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from T20 internationals, there is a big opportunity for Samson to establish himself as a key player in the team.

Sanju Samson, the enigmatic Indian batter, has shed light on his relationship with captain Rohit Sharma and the events surrounding his omission from the playing XI in the 2022 T20 World Cup final.In an interview with journalist Vimal Kumar, Samson revealed that he was initially slated to play in the final against South Africa but was dropped at the last moment. "I had a chance to play the final. I was told to stay ready, and I was ready. But just before the toss, they decided to stick with the same XI," Samson said.Despite his disappointment, Samson praised Rohit's leadership and the manner in which he handled the situation. "During warm-ups, Rohit took me aside to explain the decision. He asked, 'You understood, na?'" Samson shared. "I told him, 'Let’s focus on winning the match first; we can talk later.'"Samson recalled Rohit returning shortly after, sensing his disappointment. "He said, 'I know you’re cursing me in your mind.' I told him that as a player, I wanted to play. It had been my dream to perform in moments like these. Rohit explained his pattern and the reasons behind the decision. I told him I respected his explanation, but I will always carry a regret—that I missed playing a World Cup final under a leader like him," Samson added.Samson admitted that the 10-minute conversation before the toss left a lasting impact. "I thought, in such a high-pressure moment like a World Cup final, the captain would usually focus on the game or the players who are playing. But Rohit took 10 minutes to explain his decision to me before the toss, and then he went for the toss. That gesture won him a place in my heart forever."While Samson has often found himself on the fringes of the national team, he was part of India's squad that won the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, he didn't get a chance to play in any of the eight matches, with Rishabh Pant being preferred as the first-choice wicket-keeper batter.Despite missing out during the World Cup, Samson made a resounding statement in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh. In the second T20I, he hammered a stunning 111 off just 47 balls, leading India to a record-breaking total of 297/6— the highest-ever T20I score by a full-member ICC nation. His blistering knock, featuring 11 fours and eight sixes, was the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian, achieved in just 40 balls.Samson's recent performances have reignited the debate about his place in the Indian team. With his exceptional talent and unwavering determination, he is poised to make a significant contribution to Indian cricket in the years to come.

Sanju Samson, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, has confirmed his availability for Kerala's upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka, scheduled to commence on October 18 in Alur. This announcement comes after Samson's impressive performances in the recently concluded three-T20I series against Bangladesh.Samson's inclusion in the Kerala squad is a significant boost for the team, which has already secured a convincing eight-wicket victory in its opening game against Punjab. The 28-year-old's experience and skill will be invaluable to the Sachin Baby-led unit."Yes, Sanju Samson reached out to me and confirmed his availability for the next game. He will be playing the match vs Karnataka in Alur," said P Prasanth, chairman of Kerala's senior selection committee.While Samson's availability for this particular match is confirmed, his future participation in the Ranji Trophy will depend on his commitments to the Indian team. To ensure continuity within the squad, Baby will continue to lead the side."For now, Sanju's availability for this game is confirmed. His future availability depends on his India commitments. So that's why Baby will continue to lead the side," added Prasanth.Samson's recent performances in the Duleep Trophy have been impressive, with the batter scoring a century and a couple of substantial 40s for India D. However, it remains uncertain whether he will don the wicketkeeping gloves for Kerala in the upcoming fixture."That the coach and all will take the call along with Sanju. Whether he keeps or not is totally up to them," said Prasanth.Kerala finds itself in Group C of the ongoing Ranji Trophy alongside Bengal, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. A convincing win in the opening fixture has undoubtedly boosted the team's confidence.Prior to the season, Kerala acquired the services of Baba Aparajith, a former India U-19 player and a consistent performer for Tamil Nadu. Aparajith's contributions with both bat and ball have been crucial for the team.

Sanju Samson, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, has expressed his ardent desire to establish himself as an all-format player for the national team. In an exclusive interview, Samson revealed his aspirations to play Test cricket and his belief in his ability to succeed in the red-ball format."I believe I have the skill-set to succeed in red-ball cricket," Samson asserted. "I don't want to be restricted to just white-ball cricket. I desire to play Tests for India."Samson's determination stems from the support he has received from the Indian team management. During the recent Bangladesh series, he was given the opportunity to open the batting, a role he embraced with aplomb. "I was told three weeks in advance that I would be playing as an opener against Bangladesh," Samson said. "I was mentally prepared for the new role."The 28-year-old's confidence was further boosted by his century in the Duleep Trophy, a tournament that featured some of the best bowlers in the country. "The century in the Duleep Trophy has given me a lot of confidence," Samson admitted.Samson's journey to the national team has been marked by both highs and lows. He has been praised for his exceptional batting skills, but has also faced criticism for his inconsistency. However, he remains undeterred and is determined to prove his worth in all formats of the game."I believe in playing fearless cricket and not shying away from taking the odd risk," Samson said. "It was my dream to hit five sixes in a match, and I was in my zone that day and it came off."Samson's desire to play Test cricket is a testament to his ambition and his belief in his own abilities. As he continues to develop and mature as a player, it is likely that he will get his chance to represent India in the longest format of the game.

Sanju Samson's scintillating century in the third T20I against Bangladesh has not only earned him accolades but also the admiration of his teammate, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. Despite not featuring in the series, Jitesh expressed his joy for Samson's achievement, highlighting the camaraderie within the Indian team.Jitesh, who is also vying for a spot in the Playing XI, acknowledged Samson's struggles in the first two games but remained confident in his abilities. "I understand how his first two innings didn’t go well, but I was hoping he would score because I’ve seen Sanju’s hard work, and he had a good IPL season too," said Jitesh.The Indian team's persistence with Samson at the top of the order gave Jitesh hope, even though he was warming the bench. "It was good to see the Indian team back Sanju and give him opportunities to play. Seeing that gives hope to those who are not in the playing XI, knowing that when their time comes, they will receive the same kind of support," he said.Jitesh emphasized the importance of focusing on individual growth rather than comparisons with others. "I don’t see myself comparing with others because all wicket keepers focus on their own performance and growth, rather than competing against each other. Everyone has a different role, a different playing style—each of us is unique," he explained.Instead, he is concentrating on improving his batting, keeping, and fitness. "I believe it’s better to focus on myself rather than on others. We are all doing our best. When I put myself in their shoes and imagine failing, it feels bad. Everyone feels that way, so I don’t compare myself to others. Instead, I focus on my process—my batting, keeping, and fitness," he added.Head coach Gautam Gambhir's recent emphasis on supporting players has resonated with Jitesh, who is seeking to establish himself in the squad. "Those are important things to remember because anyone playing for India has earned that place. Everyone deals with pressure differently. Some players become comfortable quickly, while others take more time. I think these words carry meaning for anyone new to the team. They offer comfort, as every player is nervous in their early stages. If the coach gives that kind of reassurance, it allows the player to play freely, knowing they won’t be judged by one or two innings. The team knows that the player has performed well before and will receive their backing," he concluded.