We support you Sanju Samson: Fans raise banners at FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar

The dropping of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from India’s playing XI against New Zealand left his fans fuming.

Some of them made a statement at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar by raising banners in support of Samson.

Samson, who was named in both T20I and ODI squads, was overlooked throughout the T20I series against New Zealand, with stand-in captain Hardik Pandya explaining it to be an “unfortunate” case and “strategic” reason. Samson returned in the first ODI before he was dropped in the second ODI.

IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, whose captain is Sanju Samson, took to Twitter to share the love of fans for Samson.

“If they are sitting out… Sanju Samson, for example: we wanted to play him, but for whatever reason, we could not. But I can get into their shoes and understand how they are feeling. As a cricketer, it is difficult, whatever one might say,” Pandya had stated.

“You are in the Indian team, but you are not getting a chance in the XI, so that’s difficult. But if I can create a healthy environment, where the players can come and speak to me if they are feeling bad, or go and speak to the coach, if I remain the captain, I think it won’t be a problem. Because my nature is such that I make sure everyone is together.”

India’s ODI stand-in captain Shikhar Dhawan, who brought in Deepak Hooda ahead of Sanju Samson in the second match, explained that the move was made in a bid to have a sixth-bowling option.

The second ODI was abandoned after just 12.5 overs during India’s innings as rain played spoilsport. “We wanted the sixth bowler to come in, so we brought Hooda in place of Samson,” Dhawan told the broadcasters.