The question arises as to how long Sanju Samson can remain in the team, especially against the backdrop of Vaibhav Suryavanshi's potential emergence. In the current T20 series against West Indies, Sanju scored 11, 82, and 3 runs. Although his innings of 82 runs in Ranchi cannot be ignored, the details of that game also warrant consideration.
During this innings, he missed a chance for a catch worth 6 runs, and a second opportunity was given to him at 42 runs. This means the opponent gave him two chances. A natural question arises: should his spot in the national team be based solely on one big innings and two such opportunities?
This question becomes even more relevant because there is a young batter in the team who has attracted global attention due to his explosive style—Vaibhav Suryavanshi. However, while Vaibhav is being given opportunities, Sanju continues to receive consistent chances. Three out of five planned matches in the series have passed. Only two matches remain, leading to the necessity of deciding: will the team management continue testing Sanju or dare to field Vaibhav?
Sanju's innings of 82 runs cannot be overlooked. Nevertheless, a player's assessment should not be based exclusively on his best performance. In T20 cricket, the true test lies in consistency. Sanju showed fluctuations across three innings: 11 runs in the first match, 82 in the second, and only 3 in the third. These ups and downs once again raise the long-standing question of his career: can Sanju turn his talent into consistent results?
The mention of two chances in Ranchi is significant, as batters are not always afforded such opportunities at a high level. If he had taken the catch, would his 82-run innings have been achieved? There is no definitive answer to this. But these points must be considered when evaluating his game. Scoring runs is good, but decisions cannot be made by looking only at the scorecard, forgetting the opportunities provided.
On the other hand, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is a talent that has received worldwide acclaim, yet he has to wait his turn in the Indian squad. What is a greater contradiction for a young player than being kept on the bench even after being selected for the team? Vaibhav impressed strong bowlers with his aggressive style, but he has failed to prove himself in international cricket. If the team management selected him, it means they believed in his abilities. So why refuse to test that trust? How many more attempts are needed to give Vaibhav a chance?
From an early age, Vaibhav Suryavanshi challenged strong bowlers with his batting. His fearless approach earned him particular recognition. Undoubtedly, there is a difference between IPL pressure and international cricket. Vaibhav will also have to prove his worth in the Indian team format. But how will his real test go if he is not allowed to take the field? Talent is tested not by what is kept on the bench, but by what is brought onto the field. How justified is it to pass judgment on him without giving him a chance?
Only two matches remain in the series. This is the moment when the team management must make decisions focused on the future. If they want to give Vaibhav a chance, why not do it now? Will they wait for another big innings from Sanju? And if Sanju cannot score consistently, is it fair to continue playing him based only on past achievements?
Sanju's average in T20 internationals has dropped below 27. This figure alone does not reveal the player's entire story, but when there is a large disparity between bad and good innings, the need to ask questions arises. A place in the Indian team cannot be permanent property of anyone. Here, results, team needs, and future plans must be equally considered.
The demand to drop Sanju does not mean he lacks talent; his talent is not in question. The question is about the results that this talent brings. How long will a spot be given based on hope? How long will one big innings hide previous failures? And how long will the decision to give another player a chance be postponed?
Now the picture is clear. The team management has a choice in the remaining two matches of the series against West Indies. They can give Sanju another chance, demonstrating confidence in his form, or field Vaibhav to see what the young batter can do at the international level.
However, this decision is not just about fielding one player or benching another. It is a matter of the entire team's mindset. Is India striving to prepare new options for the future, or will it be stuck on re-testing old options?
Sanju fully has the right to fight for his place, but Vaibhav also has the right to a chance. Sanju's failure itself does not guarantee Vaibhav's success, but denying Vaibhav a chance is stopping his trial before it even begins.