The BCCI on Sunday announced the a 16-member India T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series in New Zealand starting January 24. Although the selections were mostly on expected lines with Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami returning to the side after much-needed rest, the selectors chose to drop backup wicketkeeper batsman Sanju Samson, who played India’s last T20I vs Sri Lanka on January 10.
While Samson’s talent is in no doubt, his topsy-turvy international career took another dive on Sunday when he was released from the squad after playing just one game. Samson had played just 2 balls in the recent Pune T20I scoring a six – after more than 4 years of his India debut. The 2 matches are the only ones Sanju has played so far for the Men in Blue in his start-stop career.
Obviously his fans were in no mood to relent when the BCCI announced the squad late last night. They took to Twitter and let their anger out over the snub.
Virat Kohli will lead the Indian team in the 5 T20Is against the Black Caps. The tour will kick-off with the T20I series starting from January 24. India will also play 3 ODIs and 2 Tests against Kane Williamson’s team.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who made a successful comeback to the team after a long injury lay-off in the two T20Is against Sri Lanka this week, has been retained his place in T20I side along with opener Shikhar Dhawan.
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