Why should Sanju Samson fans should not compare his run out with dismissal of MS Dhoni in 2019 World Cup

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Sanju Samson fans on Thursday compared his run out dismissal in the first T20I against West Indies to the iconic run out dismissal of MS Dhoni in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup against New Zealand.

The fans of the Kerala star have stormed the social media in the past for their love the wicketkeeper-batter in case he had performed majestically or been snubbed by the selectors. Fans expressing mad love for their favourite cricketers in India is nothing new and their views have always been held in high regard.

Fans have repeatedly questioned the lack of consistent chances Samson gets in the Indian team and a closer look at the matter shows that they aren’t wrong. However, their latest comparisons between the run out dismissals of Samson and Dhoni is unjustified. Here's why.

The throw came from different field positions

In the India vs New Zealand semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, MS Dhoni had played the ball behind square and got out while trying to steal a double in the 49th over of the match which India was trying to win to book a spot in the final of the mega event. The throw from Martin Guptill came from square leg.

On Thursday, Axar Patel pushed the ball towards cover in the 16th over of the chase as Samson got out while stealing a single. The throw from Kyle Mayers came from covers.

Difference between agility of the players and the margin

Dhoni was exceedingly quick while trying to complete the second run. Samson, on the other, looked sluggish and did not even stretch his entire body and did not try making use of the long handle of the bat to drag it inside the crease. The technique for stealing quick singles is a basic one in cricket. The margin of Dhoni's dismissal was slimmer than that of Samson's.

The magnanimity of match and difference in scenario

Stealing the second run in the semi-final match was extremely crucial as the required rate to win the match was hovering around 16. The batter accompanying Dhoni was Bhuvneshwar and a World Cup final berth was on the line.

The required rate in Trinidad during the first T20I of the 5-match bilateral series was just over 7. The risky single could have been avoided as Samson and Axar were the last proper batting pair for India in the match. Moreover, it was just the 16th over of the match and the two players could have got enough chances later.

Just because the pictures of the two players during the two dismissals looks alike the one