Sanju Samson likely to be drafted back in India's T20I squad for West Indies series. | Photo Credit: IANS

Key Highlights Sanju Samson is likely to be drafted back in India's squad for T20I series against West Indies India are scheduled to play three-match T20I series against West Indies starting from December 06 Samson was dropped from the squad without playing a single game in Bangladesh T20I series

Talented young wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson's exclusion from the squads for the upcoming limited-overs series against West Indies came as a surprise to many. The MSK Prasad-led selection panel invited criticism from all corners for the decision with the likes of Harbhajan Singh and Shashi Tharoor taking to Twitter to express their disappointment. However, Samson can be drafted back into the T20I squad according to recent reports.

Samson, who has been impressing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the domestic circuit for a while now, was recalled in the Indian team for the recently-concluded T20I series against Bangladesh. However, he had to spend the entire series waiting on the bench after failing to make the cut into the playing XI as India won 2-1. Samson was subsequently dropped from the T20I squad for the Windies series without getting a chance which left many shocked.

Recently veteran spinner Harbhajan urged BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to look into the matter and change the current selection panel headed by Prasad. “I guess they r testing his heart #selectionpanelneedtobechanged need strong people there.. hope dada @SGanguly99 will do the needful (sic),” Harbhajan has written, replying to a tweet from Tharoor, where the Congress leader bashed the selection panel for dropping Samson.

As per a report, Samson is likely to be drafted back into the T20I squad for the West Indies series. However, it is not known yet if he will come in place of an injured player or as an extra player in the 15-man squad which was announced last week. It also remains to be seen if Samson will be given an opportunity in the playing XI when he is drafted back in the squad. India will play three T20Is against West Indies starting from December 06.

I guess they r testing his heart #selectionpanelneedtobechanged need strong people there.. hope dada @SGanguly99 will do the needful https://t.co/RJiGVqp7nk — Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 25, 2019

With Rishabh Pant failing to impress with the willow and his glovework, there have been calls for the team management and the selectors to try Samson, who has an impressive record in the shortest format. The Kerala batsman has played 93 matches in the IPL, amassing 2209 runs at an average of 27.61 and a strike rate of 130.24 which includes ten fifties and two centuries.

Samson had made his debut for India in a T20I game against Zimbabwe in 2015 where he scored 19 runs before being dropped. He has since never played for India again.



