KOCHI: Considered the heir apparent to Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a wicketkeeper-batsman, Kerala’s teenage sensation Sanju Vishwanadh Samson has been named in the Indian squad for the One-day International series against England.
Fresh from emerging as the highest scorer, with 224 runs, for champions India A in the Quadrangular limited overs tournament in Australia, the 19-year old received news of his call up to Team India a day after reaching home in Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram.
Though the former India under-19 vice-captain has been picked as the understudy to skipper Dhoni, the aggressive right hander stands a chance of finding a spot in the starting eleven on his batting skills alone as he had done on several occasions for Rajasthan Royals over the past two seasons.
Sanju is the third cricketer to have risen through the ranks of Kerala cricket to merit a place in the senior India squad. Fast bowler Tinu Yohannan was the first homegrown Kerala player to wear the national colours, temperamental paceman S Sreesanth followed suit.