India thrashed Afghanistan in the three-match T20I series in Delhi and signed off on a dominant note ahead of the upcoming Asian Games. The batting prodigy, widely regarded for his fearless strokeplay, remained on the bench for all three matches as India persisted with Sanju Samson at the top of the order. After a disappointing outing in the opening game, Samson responded in emphatic fashion, registering back-to-back half-centuries in the next two matches.
However, throughout the series, one question continued to trouble fans and selectors alike: the absence of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing XI.
It’s wonderful that the girls won the championship and continued India’s strong record in the tournament. A lot of talented players emerge, but performing consistently at the international level is what truly matters. In England, she picked up 10 wickets and won the Player of the Series award. Then she returned for the World Cup and claimed 14 wickets there as well.
Having said that, if you look at India’s domination in the Asia Cup, it is very heartening to see.
Since making her India debut last year, she has delivered wherever she has gone.
Q: India Women recently won the Asia Cup. Anjum Chopra: I think we should let Sanju Samson be. Playing for India always comes with pressure and competition, and every player understands that they need to keep performing. But no one likes to feel a constant question mark hanging over their place in the team. Sanju should be allowed to play freely. It’s not about replacing one player with another every time a new talent emerges. All of them are India players and quality cricketers. India is fortunate to have a deep talent pool, but every player deserves the space to perform. With retirement speculation growing, do you think he should continue until then? What are your views on the team’s performance? Are there areas where they could still improve? However, such incidents do not affect a player’s morale, the team’s combination or anything substantial. Players focus on the process of winning matches and tournaments. Even if they don’t physically get the trophy, they still remain Asia Cup champions. For players, the primary goal is to perform well, win matches and eventually win the tournament.
Because a young player has arrived does not mean the players already in the system should suddenly lose their value, just. Q: Rohit Sharma will be close to 40 by the time the next World Cup arrives.
