Former Indian fast bowler Sreesanth has urged for wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson to be included in India’s playing XI for the remaining fixtures of the T20 World Cup. However, rather than replacing first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, Sreesanth has suggested that Samson be played as a pure batsman instead of Shivam Dube. Sreesanth’s advice is conditional on the fact that if Shivam Dube does not bowl, Team India may be better off selecting Samson as a batsman. Sreesanth believes Samson should be considered as a finisher.

If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are opening, I don’t see any reason to change the XI. Axar Patel is bowling well. If you look at Shivam Dube, yes, he hasn’t played well in the first two games, but we know what he can do with the bat. But I would like to see one change, and that is Sanju Samson come into the team, Sreesanth said.

If Dube is not bowling, then Sanju should be given an opportunity; we know he is good enough. I spoke to him the other day and he is hungry for an opportunity. He is also a Superman fielder, Sreesanth further added. Sreesanth and Samson both hail from the state of Kerala, India.

I feel Sanju comes in last along with Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. I think we can finish on a big score if we are chasing, with Virat being the chase master king. I don’t see any score being that difficult for us to chase, the 41-year-old former pacer concluded. Men in Blue will take on Afghanistan in their first Super 8 match on June 20, Thursday at Kensington Oval Barbados.