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Mohammed Kaif supports Sanju Samson for India’s Asia Cup XI at No. 3, citing his six-hitting ability and strong IPL record over Tilak Varma.
Sanju Samson’s spot in India’s Asia Cup playing XI is in doubt (Picture credit: AFP)
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif has said that Sanju Samson would be effective against spin and in the middle overs because of his six-hitting ability, backing the latter to find a place in India’s playing XI even as his spot remains in doubt after Shubman Gill’s inclusion as vice-captain for the Asia Cup.
Kaif noted that Samson has performed even in South Africa, where the conditions for batting are quite hard.
Kaif added that Samson has scored over the years in IPL as well, adding that he deserves a place in the XI.
“He is among the top 10 six-hitters in the IPL. That is why I believe when Rashid Khan comes to bowl in the middle overs, there cannot be a better player against him than Sanju, as he can hit sixes down the ground,” Kaif said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
“South Africa has one of the toughest conditions for batting and he has hit two centuries as an opener there. He plays both pace and spin well and in the IPL, he scores 400-500 runs every year,” Kaif said.
Samson has struck 219 sixes in the Indian Premier League, the ninth-most in the tournament’s history.
But Samson couldn’t make a significant impact with the bat in the five-match home series against England earlier this year.
Kaif said that the Indian team management should go with Samson ahead of Tilak Varma for the No. 3 spot.
“Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will open (in the Asia Cup). For the No. 3 spot, I feel Tilak Varma is a youngster and can wait for his turn. Sanju is an experienced batter and he could be groomed by giving him consistent opportunities at No. 3,” Kaif said.
“There is a World Cup after six months and he deserves a chance,” the former India cricketer added.
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