Two of my senior reporters mentioned in our editorial meeting a few days ago that Sanju Samson’s omission from the tour of Zimbabwe was not a unanimous decision. They went on to say that the team management was not in favour of leaving him out and that two selectors pushed the decision through. As a result, it is not unreasonable to suggest that the power centre in decision-making may be shifting.
The truth is that leaving him out is a poor call. In fact, he should have been taken to Zimbabwe and given opportunities to regain form. The argument that he has been rested does not hold either, because he played just twice in England and does not need a break. If the management and the selection committee are not on the same page, it does not augur well for Indian cricket.
The reason given for leaving him out is inconsistency. But Samson plays the shortest format, where consistency is notoriously difficult to achieve. If you play aggressively at the top of the order, there is always a greater chance of failure than success. In Ireland and England, he did not always look comfortable in challenging conditions, though he did sign off with a sprightly 14-ball 27. There was every reason to give him a break after Durham and bring Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in. But a break should be about helping him regain rhythm so that he returns sooner rather than later, not about leaving him out of a relatively easier tour like Zimbabwe.
Gautam Gambhir spoke about giving Samson clarity. That is absolutely essential. Players need to be taken into confidence and told exactly where they stand. Has he been rested or dropped? What is the plan for the Asian Games? What is the broader thought process? Samson is experienced enough to ask what the road ahead looks like. Players need to feel secure, even when they are left out for a few matches. Tell them why they are being given a break and what is expected of them. Unless that happens, there will be an undercurrent of insecurity within the squad.
Finally, there is the sensitive issue of the team management versus the selection committee. The bottom line is that it cannot be one or the other. Nor can it become an imposition by either side. While the selection committee has the responsibility of picking the squad, it must work in complete synergy with the team management. Frankly, that is non-negotiable and could have a direct bearing on performances going forward. While nothing has been said publicly, it is in the best interests of Indian cricket for the selectors and the management to clear the air, present a united front and chart the way ahead together.
As for Samson, he deserved to be in the squad for the Zimbabwe tour. While he did not look confident in Ireland or in Durham, there was nothing to suggest that he could not regain form after spending time in the nets. In fact, he should be encouraged to work closely with the batting coach and Gambhir to iron out the issues. That, rather than leaving him out, is surely the way forward.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news
The post Sanju Samson’s Omission Raises Bigger Questions About India’s Decision-Making appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
