Sanju Samson opens up on his competition with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul

Sanju Samson has been omitted from the India squad for the upcoming 20-20 World Cup to be played in Australia next month. Fans were upset after his exclusion from the team. Some of them have opined that Samson is far better than Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul combined. Meanwhile, the Kerala player has opened up about the competition between him and the duo.

The right-hander mentioned the outrage of fans in his favor. However, the 27-year-old believes that Pant and Rahul deserve to be in the team. In fact, Sanju went on to say that if he competes with his teammates, he is letting his nation down. Talking about Pant and Rahul, both players are part of the World Cup squad. The latter is the vice-captain of the team.

"These days, in media and on social media, there are talks that who will Sanju replace in the Indian playing XI. Will you replace Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul. My thinking is very clear that both KL and Pant play for my own team. If I compete with my own teammates, then I'm letting my country down," said Samson on the World Cricket channel.

Feel fortunate to make a comeback five years: Sanju Samson

The wicketkeeper-batter added that he feels that he was fortunate to make a comeback after five years. For the unversed, he made his international in 2015 but had to wait for the next years to play his next game. The Rajasthan skipper in the Indian T20 League played in the T20I series against New Zealand in early 2020. Meanwhile, Samson said that becoming a part of the Indian team is a massive thing.

"But I feel very fortunate that I made a comeback after 5 years. The Indian team was No 1 five years ago and even now. Becoming a part of the best 15 of the Indian cricket team is a big thing. But at the same time, you also have to think about yourself as well and it is important to be in the right frame of mind and think positively," said Sanju.