It is a tough phase for Sanju Samson – Saba Karim feels the Kerala batter is low in pecking order as wicket-keeper

Former Indian selector Saba Karim feels it is a tough phase for Sanju Samson. The Kerala batter has been added to the Asia Cup squad as a backup for KL Rahul, who is carrying a niggle. Samson has been a bit inconsistent and thus he hasn’t been getting regular chances in the playing XI.

The right-hander has score 390 runs in 12 ODI matches at an impressive average of 55.71. But he has scored only 374 runs in 24 T20I matches at an average of 19.68 and he hasn’t been able to grab his opportunities.

Karim feels Samson is low in the pecking order after Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

Speaking to Jio Cinema, Saba Karim said, “It is a tough phase for Sanju Samson, let us admit that first, because now it seems in the pecking order you have KL Rahul, then you have Ishan Kishan, and then comes Sanju Samson.”

“It’s also the way he looks at his future in international cricket. Does he look at himself as a wicketkeeper-batter or does he think of himself as a batter? The kind of potential he has, everybody knows he is so gifted.”

Shedding light on Samson’s lack of consistency, “At times, there has been some kind of question mark over his consistency. Having said that, I do believe that he hasn’t got a long rope from the selectors due to different circumstances.”

The former wicket-keeper added Samson needs to work on wicket-keeping skills in order to get the job done.

“The road ahead for him is to number one work hard on his wicketkeeping if he wants to be considered as a wicketkeeper-batter. There are some areas of concern for him but with the kind of talent he has, if he works hard, goes back to the drawing board, I am sure he will be a much better keeper next time around.”

Karim added Samson needs to be more consistent with the bat to get more chances and he should continue with the same intensity.

“In terms of his batting, he has to continue with this similar kind of intensity, be more consistent, but I think impactful is more important. That’s what we require from Sanju Samson going forward.”