Sanju Samson doubtful for Pune T20I due to knee niggle: Reports

Team India batter Sanju Samson’s availability for the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Pune on Thursday, January 5, is in doubt. The 28-year-old Kerala cricketer has a knee niggle and has reportedly not traveled to Pune with the rest of the Indian squad.

Samson had a poor first game at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, January 3. He was dismissed for five, trying to go for a hoick against Dhananjaya de Silva. He then dropped a simple catch in the first over of Sri Lanka’s chase. Later in the innings, he conceded a boundary as his knee got stuck in the ground.

According to a report in Cricbuzz, Samson suffered a knee niggle in the process of attempting the catch in the first over. He dived to catch the ball but failed to hold on.

While the cricketer carried on fielding, he later experienced swelling and was asked to seek medical advice. Due to the knee niggle, Samson has stayed back in Mumbai for scans.

India went on to beat Sri Lanka by two runs in the first T20I in Mumbai in a last-ball finish. Batting first after losing the toss, the Men in Blue put up 162/5. In response, the Lankans were bowled out for 160.

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Sunil Gavaskar hits out at Sanju Samson for throwing his wicket away

Samson came in for a lot of criticism for playing a poor stroke to be dismissed in the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar was also critical of the right-handed batter’s performance.

Despite having a close shave, the Kerala cricketer attempted a premeditated big hit against Dhananjaya de Silva and perished. Gavaskar, who was on air at the time of the dismissal, commented:

“He is such a fine player. Sanju Samson has so much of talent but his shot selection sometimes lets him down. And this is one more occasion where it has disappointed.”

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir also expressed displeasure at Samson’s dismissal. Speaking on Byju's Cricket Live, he said:

"We all talk about how much talent he has but he needs to capitalise on these chances.”

Samson’s international career has divided opinion. While he has faced some harsh criticism over his strokeplay, a section of critics feel that he has not got a long enough rope to prove his worth.

Having made his India debut in 2015, Samson has only played 11 ODIs and 17 T20Is.