Is Sanju Samson playing today’s IND vs SL 3rd T20I?
Sanju Samson retained his place in Team India's playing XI for the side's third and final T20I of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, July 30. The match is being played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.
The third T20I is a dead rubber, with India already pocketing the series by taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. Samson will look to make the most of the opportunity as he aims to be a regular feature in the Men in Blue's T20I team.
Samson wasn't part of India's lineup for the T20I series opener. He was added to the starting XI for the second fixture after opening batter Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a neck spasm.
However, it was a forgettable outing for Samson. Asked to open the innings, the 29-year-old was dismissed for a golden duck. He was dismissed bowled by off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first in the third T20I. Here are the two playing XIs for the contest:
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.
"Each game is like a do-or-die game for him" - Tinu Yohannan wants Indian team management to give Sanju Samson consistent opportunities
Former India pacer Tinu Yohannan urged the team management to give Sanju Samson a consistent run. He pointed out how the wicketkeeper hasn't received enough backing in his career.
In an interview with Revsportz, Yohannan said:
"He debuted about 10 years ago and after that he has been (playing) on and off. He didn’t get a long run at any time. Each game is like a do-or-die game for him. Almost every time when he walks out to bat, he goes into pressure situations. He has to be given a long run somewhere down the line. He needs backing.
"At Royals, he knows what his role is. He also knows it doesn’t matter if he fails. I know, in the Indian team it’s very difficult for him to get a long stretch of games, especially now that Rishabh (Pant) has come back. But then, he needs to be given a long run at some point of time."
It is worth noting that Sanju Samson was part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad. However, he warmed the bench throughout the tournament.