Team India experimented during their ODI series against the West Indies as they rested captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the last two games after winning the first one in Barbados. Sanju Samson was one of the beneficiaries as he made good use of the opportunity, scoring a quickfire half-century in the series-deciding third ODI in Trinidad on Tuesday, August 1.
After failing to make an impact in the second ODI, Samson would have been under immense pressure to perform in the third ODI. The wicketkeeper-batter didn't allow the pressure to take over his game as his 41-ball 51 helped India post a mammoth 351 runs in the first innings before bundling out the West Indies by 151.
Following Samson's brilliant knock, former India cricketer, Mohammad Kaif has been impressed with the right-hand batter. Kaif said he was impressed with Sanju Samson, noting that the Rajasthan Royals captain plays spin well and is ready for the upcoming World Cup.
“I am very, very impressed with Sanju Samson. The way he played the last game was impactful and he has done that in the past as well whether at four or five. Sending Ishan (Kishan) or probably Axar (Patel) at number four isn’t really a good idea. You need a batter (at number 4 or 5) who can play left-arm spin as well as leg spin and Sanju Samson has that kind of ability," Kaif was quoted as saying by News18 CricketNext.
“If you look at the last game (vs WI), he knew it was a do-or-die game and had the understanding, if he didn’t perform well, he won’t be included in the World Cup squad. Samson’s knock in the third ODI came under pressure and he is ready for the World Cup."
I would like to see what team they play in the Asia Cup: Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif didn't wish to read too much into India's performance against the West Indies as they have had a well-documented share of struggles in recent times. The 42-year-old wants India to field their best XI during the Asia Cup and zero in on the players for the impending World Cup and their backups.
“I won’t really judge the team and the team combination on the basis of the West Indies tour. The West Indies team is itself struggling, they haven’t qualified for the World Cup (ODI) even. But I would say that the Indian team should play their best XI in the Asia Cup. I would like to see what team they play in the Asia Cup & who are the players who will be in the squad of 15. If you want to pick the 15, you will have to be very sure about the players who will be in the XI & who are your backups,” Kaif concluded.
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