Picture Credit: Twitter
The debate around Sanju Samson not getting a consistent run at the international level has almost reached its peak with anyone and everyone expressing their opinion on the same. Social media is full of posts where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian team management are being criticized for not giving Samson enough chances.
Hardik Pandya, who captained India in the T20I series against New Zealand was also asked about his decision to not include Samson in the playing XI for any of the three games, which Pandya called an "unfortunate case". But that answer was not sufficient for Samson’s fans as they criticized Pandya for being diplomatic.
With Samson not getting a place and Rishabh Pant getting regular chances, the debate has shifted from Samson vs BCCI to Samson vs Pant now. When Samson’s childhood coach was asked about the same, he minced no words and blamed the ‘mallu’ crowd for this (For the unversed, people from Kerala are often called mallu as they speak Malayalam).
Biju, who trained Samson since he was 11 years of age, said that the fans are making it an unnecessary debate and he doesn’t like it at all. He also defeated Pant saying the wicketkeeper batter has earned his place in the team and must get a levy to fail.
“Now what’s happening on social media is that people are turning against Rishabh Pant for no reason. Pant is there because he has performed over a long period of time. And see there is no clash between Pant and Sanju Samson. Samson has been playing and can play for India as a pure batter. Pant’s keeping skills are very very good. If you look over a period of time, Pant has not done a major lapse or fumble behind the stumps,” said Biju to Cricketnext.
“He has come good for India in both red and white ball over a long period of time. He might have a slump now… When you talk about impact players like Adam Gilchrist or Virender Sehwag. They must get a levy to fail,” says Biju before highlighting the political spin given to Sanju’s cricketing journey.”
“What I am not liking is how the mallu crowd is putting Sanju Samson against BCCI, and belittling Rishabh Pant. It is very wrong and not at all on. Political leaders in Kerala think cricket is another game of politics and are saying Sanju is victimised. No, not at all. I don’t believe so and it’s just that circumstances are not working in his favour. He is not being deliberately targeted. I don’t think anybody in the Indian cricketing system would be deliberately targeted. Somebody like a VVS Laxman is the coach, I don’t see that happening,” added Biju.
