IND vs SA: Sanju Samson fans to protest player's T20 World Cup omission in Thiruvananthapuram

When the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2022 was announced, fans had more than likely expected a similar squad. However, the exclusion of Sanju Samson from not only the World Cup but also from the T20I series against Australia and South Africa has raised some questions.

The middle-order batter has been in and out of the Indian side and has played just six T20Is and as many ODIs in 2022 when the first-choice players were missing.

However, with the return of these players, Samson did not find a place in the standbys as well and this has not gone down well with his fans.

In fact, some local fans of Thiruvananthapuram have decided they are planning to hold a protest against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) when the first T20I between the Men in Blue and Proteas will be held in the city.

According to many news organisations, the locals are planning to attend the match wearing T-shirts with Samson's picture.

Talking about Samson's performance, he had led Rajasthan Royals (RR) to the final of IPL 2022. He was called for the two matches against Ireland and the series opener against England. 

Samson had played just the second Ireland T20I before returning home. He was, however, called again for the three ODIs against West Indies as KL Rahul's replacement in the T20Is.

He played the last two T20Is and featured in all 6 ODIs, against West Indies and Zimbabwe.

In the six 6 T20Is, Samson scored 179 runs at an average of 44.75 with a strike rate of 158.41. 

Despite making some appearances, he was not preferred for the Asia Cup, which more or less saw him not being part of the World Cup as well.

Samson, could, however, feature in the three-match ODI series against South Africa next month.