If I keep scoring runs, I will be automatically considered for the Indian team, says Sanju Samson
There were reports that Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson could make a comeback to the Indian team after sending a message to the selectors with his performances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy and in Sri Lanka's warm-up match against Board Presidents' XI where he scored a brisk century for his team.
In a chat with Times of India, chief selector MSK Prasad praised Samson's performance and said, "It's good to see that Sanju Samson has been amongst the runs this season. He has been consistent. It augurs well for him and it's good for us since we will have more options to deliberate on."
Also read: Sanju Samson could make Team India comeback for Sri Lanka series
This is definitely a positive news for Sanju and this should give him more confidence and will motivate him to keep up his consistency in the upcoming matches. When Sportskeeda contacted the batsman to get his thoughts on the development, the right-hander admitted that the selections are not in his control and he is enjoying the way he is batting of late before saying that his focus is not the selection right now as he has some important games coming up in the next few days.
"It feels good that I am batting well and I am really enjoying my batting nowadays. I just want to continue the form and I just want to keep scoring whenever I get a chance to bat. The selections are not in my control. The only thing I can do is to score runs. If I keep scoring runs, I will be automatically considered and eventually, will be there one day. I don't want want to focus on that right now as I have some important games coming up," Sanju told Sportskeeda.
Ever since Sanju broke out into the scene by scoring tons of runs for Rajasthan Royals in his maiden IPL season in 2013, he has been highly regarded by the fans across the country and was tipped to replace MS Dhoni as India's wicketkeeper-batsman after the former skipper bids adieu to the sport.
2017 has been kind to him as the 23-year-old scored 386 runs in the IPL at an average of 28 and a strike-rate of 142 for Delhi Daredevils. He also registered his maiden T20 century against Rising Pune Supergiant earlier this year. He didn't stop there as he carried his form to the Indian domestic circuit.
In the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy, Sanju has amassed 577 runs in 10 innings at an average of nearly 58 with two centuries and three fifties and is one of the main reasons why Kerala managed to make it to the quarter-final for the first time in Ranji Trophy (plate leagues not considered).
His next challenge will be against Vidarbha, who have been brilliant throughout the season and a win against Faiz Fazal and co. will put Kerala in the semi-final.
India already announced the ODI side to take on Sri Lanka in the three-match series that starts in Dharamsala on December 10, Sanju did not find a place in the national side. The T20I side yet to be announced and with India's tour of South Africa set to get underway few days after the T20Is against Sri Lanka, there are possibilities that some of the key players might not feature in the side and the selectors might reward consistent performers in the domestic circuit with a national call-up.
Sanju played just one T20I for India in 2015 when Ajinkya Rahane and his men toured Zimbabwe for a limited-overs series.