Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes Sanju Samson has the necessary skills to excel as a middle-order batter and should be included in India’s squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup at home.
Samson played a key role with the bat in India’s series-clinching 200-run victory over West Indies in the third and final ODI at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad on Tuesday (August 1).
Batting at No. 4, the right-hander slammed 51 off 41 balls. He was severe on the Caribbean bowlers from the word go and smashed 2 boundaries and 4 sixes in his knock.
The injuries to Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have opened up a door of opportunities for players like Samson and Suryakumar Yadav. While Surya has failed to grab his chances with both hands in the 50-over format, Samson has been quite consistent despite the sporadic opportunities he has got in the last one year.
"I am massively impressed by Samson. He played an impactful knock, whether at four or five, he has done it in the past," Kaif said on the launch of Amrit Mathur's book 'Pitchside' on August 2.
He didn't endorse the idea of sending Ishan Kishan and Akshar Patel in the middle order.
"Sending Kishan or Akshar Patel in the middle order is not a great idea. You need someone who can play left-arm spin, leg spin and Samson can do that. His knock in the third ODI came under pressure and he is ready for the World Cup," he added.
Mohammad Kaif also highlighted the importance of Jasprit Bumrah's presence, saying that India could face challenges in crucial knockout matches without the ace pacer. This was evident during the T20 World Cup in Australia last year, where the Men in Blue were outplayed by England in the semi-final.
Notably, Bumrah is set to make a long-awaited return to the Indian team during the T20I tour of Ireland later this month.
"The players who are injured, India's chances in the World Cup will depend a lot on that (their comeback). Bumrah is coming now after a long injury lay off and we will get an idea on how fit he is. India need a fully fit Bumrah to do well in World Cup at home.
"In the bowling department, you can't have two teams. If Bumrah doesn't play we will lose, like we did in Asia Cup T20 and 2022 T20 World Cup. We don't have his back up.
"At the moment the team is not looking the strongest on paper as it is missing key players including KL Rahul, Pant, Iyer and the biggest factor is Bumrah," Kaif remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)
