Simon Doull was displeased with Sanju Samson for squandering another opportunity in the second One-Day International against South Africa on December 19.
Sanju Samson, who was playing for India for the first time since the Ireland T20Is in August, did not bat in the first ODI. With ample of time at 114/3 in the 27th over, Sanju Samson hung his bat out and edged the delivery onto his stumps for a 23-ball 12.
Simon Doull blasted Sanju Samson’s ejection against the flow of play in an interview with Star Sports.
“Yeah, he’s not had a real extended run, but he’s had opportunities in back to back games. Quite a typical, Sanju Samson dismissal. You know, he finds ways to get out when at times he shouldn’t. He’s a little shuffle playing away from his body. We see that often. It’s ok on surfaces in India to be playing away from your body when the ball doesn’t do much.”
Simon Doull
Simon Doull added:
“But it’s nipping around a little, quite a fraught with danger, that type of shot, you see the angle of the bat at 45 degrees. It’s not a classical straight bat shot. He sort of wants that wand outside the line of off-stump far too often, and I think that’s what people get frustrated with Sanju. There are those that absolutely love him, and when he’s flowing, there’s not many better to watch. Problem for Sanju is putting it together in the blue shirt.”
Simon Doull
Sanju Samson has only played 15 ODIs and 24 T20Is for India despite appearing to be on the horizon for an eternity.
While his T20I average is just 20, the elegant hitter averages 50.25 with a strike rate of 101 in 50-over cricket.
“Had we got 240 would have been good but unfortunately we lost wickets at regular intervals” – KL Rahul
Indian captain KL Rahul revealed that his team came up short by a few runs in the second ODI. He, along with Sai Sudharsan, bore the brunt of the criticism for not continuing after reaching a half-century.
After the Men in Blue were in difficulty at 46/2, the duo combined 68 for the third wicket but fell for 56 and 62, respectively. It resulted in India getting knocked out for 211 in the 47th over.
Rahul was critical of India’s batting performance during the post-match presentation following the loss.
“There was a bit of help in the wicket in the 1st half. It was a hard wicket but having said that Sai and I were set, had we gone on and made a big 100, we could have got 50-60 extra and those are learnings we will take from here. Had we got 240 would have been good but unfortunately we lost wickets at regular intervals and they had help from the wicket.”
KL Rahul
South Africa’s openers responded with a match-defining 130 runs, virtually destroying Indian aspirations. Tony de Zorzi, 26, hit a stunning 119* from 122 deliveries and was named Player of the Match.
With the series at 1-1, the teams will travel to Boland Park in Paarl for the series finale on Thursday, December 21.