Mohammad Kaif feels that Sanju Samson could have been a much better option than Dhruv Jurel lower down the order during India's tour of Australia. While Kaif lauded Jurel for his century against the West
Indies in the first Test in Ahmedabad last week, he feels that Samson's ability to hit sixes, especially against the spinners, would have helped India more in the Australian conditions.
Jurel has been picked in the 15-man ODI squad to face Australia in a three-match series, beginning on October 19 in Perth. KL Rahul, however, is expected to don the wicketkeeping gloves during the campaign. Samson, however, will join the squad for the T20I leg, along with fellow glovesman Jitesh Sharma.
“I feel that Dhruv Jurel played really well when he scored that century (against WI). He looked very compact and organized, and he is definitely the future of Indian cricket. He has that ability to score in every match. But leaving out Sanju Samson was a wrong decision because Sanju usually plays in the lower order, around number 5 or 6, and for that position, he is a much better option than Jurel," Kaif said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.
“At that spot, you need someone who can hit sixes, especially against spinners. We saw Sanju Samson’s strength in the Asia Cup. If he had gone to Australia, he would have hit Adam Zampa for maximums. He’s in the top 10 for most sixes in the IPL, and he fits perfectly at number 5 or 6 in Australian conditions. Right now, we tend to focus only on current form, like how well Jurel played recently, and in doing so, we forget players like Sanju who have been performing consistently and are deserving,” he added.
Kaif heaps praise on Ravindra Jadeja
Kaif compared Ravidra Jadeja to the legendary late actor Dev Anand, highlighting his consistency and longevity. The former India cricketer opined that the Saurashtra all-rounder prefers to go about his work while staying away from the limelight.
“There was an actor named Dev Anand, known as the “evergreen” star. If that title suits anyone after him, it’s Jadeja. For so many years, he has quietly come in, scored runs in tough situations, and taken wickets. He is the No. 1 all-rounder in Test cricket. He always stays under the radar, people talk the least about him, and I think Jadeja likes that. He prefers to do his work quietly, and that’s why he’s had such a long career," Kaif said.
Kaif said that the selectors picked Washington Sundar ahead of Jadeja for the ODI series because they wanted someone to bowl in the powerplay to someone like Travis Head. Also, with left-arm spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel already in the side, Sundar's right-arm off-spin will add more variety to the bowling lineup.
“Washington Sundar played one good, quick innings in England, and now the selectors feel that since he’s an off-spinner, he can bowl in the powerplay. Jadeja is a left-arm spinner, and then there’s Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Sundar, being an off-spinner, can bowl with the new ball, especially to Travis Head, and the selectors probably thought that since they already have left-arm options, they should keep another option in the form of Sundar," Kaif explained.
