“I’m Letting My Country Down” – Sanju Samson After Missing Out On India’s T20 World Cup Squad

Sanju Samson was one of the few unlucky players to miss out on India’s T20 World Cup squad scheduled to take place in Australia, starting next month. The Men in Blue announced their 15-member squad for the marquee T20 event on Monday, September 12.

Samson wasn’t even included in the four reserve players selected for the mega event. Ever since he was not considered for selection in the Indian team, the calls for him to replace KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant in the side have started to gain momentum.

However, Sanju Samson is not happy with fans raising such voices. The wicketkeeper-batter in a video that is being circulated on social media platforms can be heard saying that both Rahul and Pant play for his own team and if he competes against them, then he is letting his team down.

“I feel very fortunate that I was able to make a comeback to the Indian team after five years. At that time, India was the world’s best cricket team, and today even India is the number one team. There is so much quality in the team that it is not easy to find a place in the number one team. But at the same time, you also have to think about yourself as well and it is important to be in the right frame of mind and think positively.”

He added:

“These days on media and social media, there’s a lot of talk going on that Sanju Samson should replace KL Rahul. Sanju should replace Rishabh Pant. My thinking is very clear; both KL and Pant play for my own team. If I compete with my own teammates, then I’m letting my country down.”

Sanju Samson is an incredible and down to earth human being.pic.twitter.com/Xaln77a77d

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 17, 2022

“I just try to stay positive” – Sanju Samson

While he has been in and out of the side, Sanju Samson asserted that he tries to remain positive and wait for his opportunities. The Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter said:

“So, I just try to stay positive and think that whenever I get the chance, I will work and do it for the team.”

Sanju Samson was recently appointed as the captain of India A for the three one-days against New Zealand A scheduled to take place in Chennai.