New Delhi: Sanju Samson's meteoric rise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) once promised a glorious future for Indian cricket. It was in the IPL that he first graced the spotlight, stepping in as a replacement for the injured Dishant Yagnik, and delivering a blistering 63 off 41 balls for the Rajasthan Royals in only his second appearance.
The wicket-keeping maestro notched up 206 runs and executed six stumpings in his debut IPL season in 2013, earning him the coveted Best Young Player award. Samson's scintillating start projected him as a budding star destined for international glory.
Fast forward a decade, and Samson's international career resembles a rollercoaster stranded on a perpetual descent, yearning for an ascent that never arrives.
The journey has been nothing short of tumultuous for the Kerala-born batter. Despite flashing glimpses of immense promise, Samson has struggled to shine on the international stage.
That struggle was starkly apparent when he found himself omitted from the 2023 ODI World Cup squad. In an arena where competition is fierce and cutthroat, mere talent no longer suffices. What truly matters is how one harnesses that talent. Unfortunately for Samson, his potential has yet to metamorphose into consistent performances on the international circuit.
For every high point in his career, there's an accompanying low. Samson's credentials and talent remain unquestionable. His IPL track record boasts nearly 4000 runs in 152 innings, establishing him as one of the tournament's most reliable performers. However, his prowess takes a different form when he dons the Indian jersey.
Since his debut in 2015, Samson has featured in a mere 24 T20Is, averaging a modest 19.78 with 374 runs, including just a solitary half-century. In the ODI arena, his performance has been comparatively more impressive, tallying 390 runs in 12 matches at a remarkable average of 55.71.
His third ODI fifty, achieved during the West Indies tour in August, was seen as a potential gateway to the World Cup squad.
Leading up to the marquee event, Team India had four series to handpick their 15-man squad, including the West Indies and Ireland tours, the Asia Cup, and the upcoming Australia ODI series.
Samson received opportunities to prove his mettle during the West Indies and Ireland tours, but over nine innings (comprising 7 T20Is and 2 ODIs) in that period, he managed just one fifty-plus score.
Consequently, he was designated as a traveling reserve for the Asia Cup, a clear indication that he wasn't part of the World Cup or the ODI series against Australia.
The home series against Australia was perceived as Samson's final chance to sway the selectors. Yet, despite his undeniable talent, they remained unconvinced of his ability to withstand the pressures of the international stage.
It's the stark reality of Indian cricket: Perform consistently or face obscurity. In a team brimming with riches, talent alone cannot secure a spot.
Consistency, or rather the lack thereof, has plagued Samson's quest for the summit. Back in 2015, at the tender age of 20, he became the youngest Kerala player to captain in the Ranji Trophy. Commencing with a spectacular century, Samson's form dwindled, and he concluded the season on a middling note.
The subsequent season saw him launch the Ranji campaign with a scintillating 154 against Jammu and Kashmir, only to falter again in maintaining momentum.
Samson's struggles to maintain consistency have often been his Achilles' heel. While he thrives under the IPL's glitzy ambiance, the international stage appears to exert incessant pressure, leaving him perpetually haunted by the fear of losing his spot.
The latest snub may well be the final one for Sanju Samson, at least in the 50-over format.
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