Rishabh Pant Has Retained His Place In The T20I Squad And Fans Want To Know Why Sanju Samson Was Not Considered

When the T20I squad was announced for the home series vs West Indies which begins on December 6, Rishabh Pant seemed to have been granted yet another lifeline and found a place. But, he was the only specialist keeper chosen and in case a backup keeper is needed selectors are expected to go to KL Rahul who does keep wickets, but is not a full-time option for the Men in Blue.

AFP

Given the recent flak Pant has been receiving from the fans, former players and even the team management, it was a surprise that he was being given another chance. MS Dhoni has resumed training but has already made himself unavailable for the series. So what are the other prospects? Well, the likes of Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson were not even considered. In fact that fact that Sanju Samson did not find a place in the side despite his good performances in domestic cricket has many perplexed.

IPL

Pant is not the most popular among Indian fans right now as many want Dhoni to come back. So imagine when they saw him still in the side? Yes, you guessed it, they were not happy and demanded a reason. Many wanted to know why Samson did not get a chance. Here's what they had to say:

Hard on Sanju Samson but I guess he is much better off playing games rather than just travelling around. Big vote of confidence in Rishabh Pant but the team will expect more from him.

¡ª Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 21, 2019

Very disappointed to see @IamSanjuSamson dropped without a chance. He carried the drinks for three T20Is & has been promptly discarded. Are they testing his batting or his heart? https://t.co/ydXgwOylBi

¡ª Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 21, 2019

Wtf this is @BCCI ? Again pant got selected instead of talented players like Sanju Samson or Ishan kishan..but for what ? this selection squad purely shows how it's been so biased towards an overrated player!#SanjuSamson #BCCI

¡ª Saurav Guha (@sauravvvv75) November 21, 2019

Again Rishabh Pant is in the team for Both T20Is and Odis. Atleast in T20Is, he didn't merit a place after 2 bad Series vs Saf and Ban. But I think God and BCCI are very kind on him. Dropped Sanju Samson even without playing him. BCCI selectors are actually fools.#DropPant

¡ª Rishabh Wadhwa (@Cric_Rishabh) November 21, 2019

@BCCI why is sanju Samson dropped frm th squad.. on what grounds ?? Why is rishab pant retained!? @SGanguly99 this is not right at all.. u are killing a talent with north n south lobbying #BiasedBCCI pic.twitter.com/jKihj4uPnY

¡ª Akshay G (@iamakshay_007) November 21, 2019

Pant was once hailed as Dhoni's successor and at the moment he has not done himself any favours with reckless shots and schoolboy errors. But he has got another chance to redeem himself. He's only 22, but has been on the international circuit for 2 years. He cannot call himself a newcomer anymore. Pant needs to stick to the basics and come good. After all, the demand for perfection is so high that one can be replaced in the blink of an eye. He has played good knocks and kept well in patches. Of his potential there is no doubt, of his talent, there never was. It's his consistency that needs to be enriched and the best way to shut the critics up is do well on the field. Good shows shall turn things around and the same fans who are now at this throat will be cheering him on. That is how fortunes change especially if you are a cricketer in the sub-continent.

Cricinfo

Pant has time on his side, but he better make the most of it now. Because there is no lack of talent knocking on the doors of Team India and one needs to stay sharp.