Samson's blitz against Afg keeps Sooryavanshi waiting - and the debate alive

Sanju's Firepower Puts the Sooryavanshi Debate on Hold 🏏

What a knock from our captain! Sanju Samson laid into Afghanistan with a blistering 57 off just 22 balls—7 fours and 4 sixes—before Rashid Khan caught him long-off at the rope. A few inches more and it was six, but Nabi held on to grab his second wicket of the over.

The Musical Chairs Drama

Samson's been on the wrong end of the middle-order battle with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lately. After a stellar T20 WC, he got benched post-Ireland, Sooryavanshi stepped in, and now the two are locked in an ongoing tussle for the slot. Samson's been unlucky—returned vs England, missed the Zimbabwe flight where Vash went hammer and tongs for POTM—but here in Delhi he reminded everyone why he can't be dropped easily.

Clearing the Infield Like Art

His go-to magic was effortless field-clearing. Omarzai shipped 23 off 10, Nabi 22 off 7 off his bat. An overpitched ball went mid-on, then fine leg, then cover—one bounce, caught by the boundary boys. He even finished an over with a full-toss four that smashed the non-striker's stumps! Rashid got a four and a six too before the bowlers finally exhaled.

Class Act Off the Field

What won me over was his maturity in the presser: "Being an Indian cricketer, it's not easy to face failures, but that's where my experience comes in. I shut out the noise." He spoke beautifully about the Samson-Vash dilemma, understanding the selectors' tough call and backing whoever plays. "We're competitors for the outside world, but a team for our country." Leading an IPL franchise, he knows how hard these picks are.

The Verdict?

For now, Samson's stalled the debate with this cracking knock. But whether it earns him a longer rope stays to be seen. 🤔

What do you all think—should Samson keep the slot or is Vash the future?

#SanjuSamson #TeamIndia #T20I

Source: Times of India