Cricket

Since his abrupt departure from the Indian Test team in South Africa last year, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has struggled to regain his place in the national setup. Despite being part of the ODI World Cup team in India last year, Kishan failed to feature in any matches. His subsequent absence from domestic cricket and a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign have further diminished his chances of a recall.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has attributed Kishan's downfall to a loss of focus, suggesting that he became preoccupied with fashion. Ali believes that Kishan's chances of returning to the Indian team are slim, given the strong competition from Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and other emerging keeper-batters.Kishan's decision to leave the South Africa tour midway has also raised questions about his commitment. He cited fatigue as the reason for his departure, but his subsequent absence from domestic cricket raised eyebrows. In an interview with Indian Express, Kishan explained that he was experiencing travel fatigue and needed a break. However, his explanation has not been widely accepted.Kishan's poor form in the IPL 2024, where he managed only 324 runs in 14 games, further damaged his chances of a recall. He was subsequently ignored for the T20 World Cup in the Americas, which India won.With the likes of Pant, Samson, and other talented keeper-batters vying for a place in the Indian team, Kishan's chances of a comeback appear to be dwindling. He will need to rediscover his form and prove his commitment to the team if he wants to regain his place in the national setup.

Sanju Samson's return to the Indian T20I team after being benched in the first match against Sri Lanka was short-lived, as he was dismissed for a golden duck while opening the innings. This move raised questions about Samson's role in the team, especially considering the prominence given to Riyan Parag.Parag has emerged as a key figure in the Indian team under new head coach Gambhir, occupying the middle-order batting spot that many expected Samson to fill. Parag's ability to bowl a few overs gives him an advantage over Samson, who is primarily a wicket-keeper batter.Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that Parag's bowling ability will give him a long rope in the middle-order, especially in T20I cricket. "You will see Riyan Parag getting many chances due to his bowling ability. As a top-order batsman, not many in the country have the ability to roll their arm over. This is where Riyan Parag will get an extra advantage, and rightly so," Pathan said.Samson's situation in the Indian team has been puzzling, with the talented wicket-keeper batter being shuffled across different roles and positions since his debut. Despite his undeniable talent, Samson has struggled to cement his spot in the team, as he continues to be tried and tested in various roles.The first two matches under Gambhir's leadership have made it clear that Parag is part of his long-term plans. This raises questions about Samson's future in the team, as he may have to adapt to a different role or face the prospect of being overlooked for selection.

The upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka presents a challenging selection dilemma for Team India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir. The choice between wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson has become a crucial decision, as both players possess exceptional skills and a desire to prove their worth.Pant, a seasoned campaigner with 74 T20I appearances, has established himself as a formidable force in the shortest format. His aggressive batting style and ability to clear the boundary with ease have made him a valuable asset to the Indian team. In the recent T20 World Cup, Pant finished as India's third-highest run-scorer, amassing 171 runs at a strike rate of 126.67.Samson, on the other hand, has played 28 T20Is, scoring 633 runs at a strike rate of 133.14. Despite making his debut in 2015, Samson has only played 27 of those matches since 2020. His inconsistent selection has hindered his ability to establish himself as a regular member of the Indian team.Statistically, there is little to separate the two players. Pant holds a slight edge in terms of average (22.70 vs. 21.14) and strike rate (126.67 vs. 133.14). However, Samson has a higher number of fifties (3 vs. 2) and has displayed an impressive ability to hit boundaries against the fastest bowlers.The decision between Pant and Samson will ultimately depend on the team management's assessment of their current form and suitability for the role. Pant's experience and recent performances may give him the edge, but Samson's potential and ability to play match-winning innings cannot be ignored.

Sanju Samson's international career has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both brilliance and frustration. Despite his exceptional talent, the wicket-keeper batter has repeatedly faced snubs from the white-ball teams, leaving many scratching their heads.Samson's latest setback came when he was overlooked for India's ODI series against Sri Lanka, despite scoring a century in his last one-day international match. Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa, known for his blunt assessments, expressed his disappointment over Samson's omission."This is not the first time Sanju has gone through this," Uthappa said. "I don't think it will be the last time either. But his one-day numbers have been incredible."Uthappa attributed Samson's struggles to the constant changes within the Indian leadership group. "Things have to settle down a bit," he said. "We as fans and supporters need to give them space."However, Uthappa believes that Samson is not out of contention for the ODI team. "He will get his opportunity," Uthappa said. "But when it comes, he needs to grab it with solid performances."Samson's future in the ODI team may hinge on his performance in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. An exemplary show in the shortest format could force the selectors to give him a longer run in the 50-over format as well.Samson's case highlights the complexities of team selection in modern cricket. With a plethora of talented players vying for limited spots, even the most deserving individuals can find themselves on the sidelines. However, Samson's talent and determination suggest that he will continue to fight for his place in the Indian team.

Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the BCCI selection committee, faced scrutiny at a press conference on Monday regarding the exclusion of several players from the team's tour of Sri Lanka.Agarkar defended the committee's decisions, emphasizing the limited roster size and the need to prioritize balance. He acknowledged the strong performances of Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Abhishek Sharma in Zimbabwe but maintained that not everyone could be accommodated in the 15-man squad."Every player who's left out feels hard done by," Agarkar said. "Our challenge is to pick only 15. You try and get the best balance possible. So someone's likely to miss out."Agarkar cited the example of Rinku Singh, who was omitted from India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad despite his impressive form. He stressed that such exclusions are sometimes unavoidable due to the competitive nature of team selection."We had an opportunity to give some of those guys a go in the Zimbabwe series, which was good," Agarkar added. "So, we have enough depth if tomorrow there is loss of form for the players that are playing or there are injuries."Agarkar emphasized the difficulty of balancing individual performances with team dynamics. He explained that while players may have had strong recent showings, the selectors must consider the overall composition of the squad and the suitability of each player for specific roles."But it's tough," Agarkar said. "I mean Rinku for no fault of his missed out from the World Cup, it's an example. He had a terrific [run in the] T20 leading up to the World Cup. But sometimes it's just the way it goes. Unfortunately for us as well, it is difficult to fit everyone in the fifteen."

Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of Abhishek Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sanju Samson from the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.Harbhajan took to social media to voice his concerns, stating, "Hard to understand why @yuzi_chahal @IamAbhiSharma4 @IamSanjuSamson are not part of the Indian Team for Sri Lanka."Abhishek Sharma, a young batter, has been in impressive form, scoring big against Zimbabwe. Yuzvendra Chahal, a veteran spinner, had a brilliant IPL season. Sanju Samson, while included in the T20I squad, was left out of the ODI squad.Meanwhile, newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. He said, "The last few weeks have been nothing short of a dream and I am truly grateful. This new role brings with it, a lot of responsibility, excitement, and enthusiasm."India has named Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of their men's T20I team for the tour of Sri Lanka, with Shubman Gill named as the vice-captain of both the T20I and ODI sides. The white-ball tour to Sri Lanka will start from July 27 and will consist of three T20Is and ODIs. It will be India's first international assignment under new coach Gautam Gambhir.

Amit Mishra Questions Sanju Samson's Inclusion in 2026 T20 World Cup SquadFormer India spinner Amit Mishra has sparked a debate by expressing doubts over Sanju Samson's chances of featuring in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. Mishra, who last played for India in 2017, believes that Samson's age and the emergence of younger players could hinder his selection."I don't think that Samson will play the next World Cup because he is now 34 years old," Mishra said on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast 'Unplugged.' "There are many young players, and Virat Kohli brought forth this concept that young players perform more in T20 cricket."Samson, 29, was part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team but did not play a single match, with Rishabh Pant preferred as the wicketkeeper-batter. Mishra acknowledged that an exceptional performance could earn Samson a spot in the 2026 squad, but he emphasized the need for consistency."He can play the next World Cup, but he will have to perform extraordinarily well in order to be selected," Mishra said. "Either he is now in the team, so he should maintain his position until the next World Cup, otherwise, it will be very difficult."Mishra pointed to the emergence of young players like Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant as potential threats to Samson's selection. He also highlighted the importance of experience in T20 cricket, despite the emphasis on youth."The mindset of T20 cricket is around young players, but it is the seniors who win you the game in T20s as experience matters in the shortest format," Mishra said.Mishra's comments come amid a changing landscape in Indian cricket. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja have all retired from T20Is, leaving the team with a mix of experienced and young players. Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah are among the senior players who will be expected to guide the team in the coming years.

Sanju Samson's Mammoth Six Powers India to Series Victory Over ZimbabweIn a thrilling conclusion to the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, Sanju Samson unleashed a colossal 110-meter six that left cricket fans in awe. Facing Brandon Mavuta in the fifth and final match, Samson sent the ball soaring over the roof and out of the ground, showcasing his immense power.Samson's innings of 58 off 45 balls, studded with four sixes, played a pivotal role in India's 42-run victory. He shared a crucial 65-run partnership with Riyan Parag, who contributed 22 off 24 balls, to stabilize the innings after a shaky start.Alongside Samson, Shivam Dube's quickfire 26 off 12 balls propelled India to a competitive total of 167 for six. In response, Zimbabwe's batting faltered against the disciplined bowling of Mukesh Kumar, who claimed an impressive 4/22. Dube (2/25) and Washington Sundar (1/7) also chipped in with wickets as India bowled out Zimbabwe for 125 in 18.3 overs.Samson's six was not only a testament to his power but also a symbol of India's dominance in the series. The hosts won the first four matches comfortably, with Samson playing a key role in each victory. His ability to pick the right moments to attack and his fearless approach made him a constant threat to the Zimbabwean bowlers.Mukesh Kumar's bowling performance was equally impressive. The young pacer consistently troubled the Zimbabwean batsmen with his accuracy and variations. His early breakthroughs set the tone for India's bowling effort, and he continued to pick up wickets throughout the innings.India's victory in the series is a testament to the depth and talent of their squad. Despite missing several key players due to injuries, the team managed to overcome a spirited Zimbabwean challenge. Samson's six and Mukesh Kumar's bowling were the highlights of the final match, but the entire team deserves credit for their consistent performances throughout the series.

Sanju Samson, India's vice-captain for the T20I tour of Zimbabwe, reminisced about his experience as part of the T20 World Cup-winning team last month. The emotions from the victorious scenes in Barbados still linger in his mind, describing it as an unforgettable experience."The emotions are still fresh. The photos are still around. It was an incredible experience. I couldn't stop smiling. I feel very fortunate to have been part of that team. Credit goes to everyone who contributed. It was a complete team effort," Samson expressed to broadcasters.Regarding the changes in the team, including the inclusion of Mukesh Kumar and Riyan Parag, and his role as deputy to Shubman Gill, Samson commented, "There will be some adjustments in the batting order, and I hope to get some time in the middle. I've been leading Rajasthan Royals for the past four years.""I've had the privilege of working with legends and mentoring young players. As a captain, you gain a deeper understanding of the game and consider the team's needs. I've been improving in that aspect," he added.Zimbabwe fast-bowler Richard Ngarava expressed his recovery from fitness issues. "I've worked hard over the past month. I had a knee problem, but I'm happy to be back in the team. I've learned a lot from playing in the T20 leagues. You encounter various coaches and fitness trainers, which helps you improve. Ultimately, it's about executing the basics well."When asked about the effectiveness of his bowling partnership with Blessing Muzarabani, Ngarava said, "We've been in the same academy for a long time. He's someone who motivates me when I'm down, and I do the same for him. We hope to continue taking wickets and aim for a five-wicket haul in the same match."