The cricket world has been eagerly awaiting the return of Sanju Samson, the captain of the Rajasthan Royals, who has been sidelined due to an injury. The talented batsman has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy’s Center of Excellence, and the latest update is that he has cleared his fitness test for batting. This is a significant development, especially considering that Samson suffered a fractured finger during a match against England in February, courtesy of a short ball from Jofra Archer.
As per reports, Samson is set to join the Rajasthan Royals camp on Monday, March 17, ahead of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League. This news will undoubtedly boost the team’s morale, given Samson’s impressive track record as a batsman. Although he has been out of action for six weeks due to the injury, it appears that he is on the road to recovery. A source close to the team confirmed to the Times of India that Samson will be joining the Royals on Monday, marking a significant milestone in his rehabilitation journey.
While Samson has cleared the fitness test for batting, it remains to be seen whether he will don the wicket-keeping gloves in the initial matches. Earlier, there were doubts about his ability to keep wickets, and this question still lingers. The Center of Excellence is putting him through a series of tests to assess his readiness for the demanding role of wicket-keeping. It will be interesting to see whether he will be behind the stumps for the Royals’ opening match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 or if Dhruv Jurel will take on the responsibility.
According to a media report citing a source, “Samson has passed the fitness test for batting at the BCCI’s Center of Excellence and is now undergoing a wicket-keeping test with the COE’s medical team before being released.” This cautious approach is understandable, given the importance of Samson’s role in the team and the need to ensure that he is fully fit before taking on the demands of wicket-keeping.
The BCCI will undoubtedly be keen to avoid any complacency when it comes to Samson’s fitness, especially with the 2016 T20 World Cup on the horizon. Although the tournament is still some time away, it is crucial that Samson recovers fully to avoid any potential long-term complications from the injury. The cricket fraternity will be watching his progress with bated breath, eager to see him back on the field, leading the Rajasthan Royals with his trademark flair and finesse.