The decision to leave Sanju Samson out of the 15-man ODI squad chosen for the tour to Australia that starts October 19 as the backup wicketkeeper has been criticized by former India chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth.
Samson was a potential replacement for lead wicket-keeper KL Rahul because Rishabh Pant was sidelined due to injury. However, Dhruv Jurel received his first ODI call-up for the three-match series that starts in Perth in two weeks after the Kerala batsman was overlooked by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee.
Interestingly, Samson had scored a century in his last ODI — the series decider against South Africa in late 2023 — but has not featured in the format since.
Srikkanth bemoaned the choice to leave out Samson, claiming that since he was higher up the hierarchy, the 30-year-old should have been given the first chance.
“Again very unfair. Sanju should have been there, considering he scored a century in his last ODI. So everyday the reason keeps changing for each individual. One day you make him bat at 5, then another day you make him open. Sometimes you send him at 7 or 8. How did Dhruv Jurel suddenly come in? Sanju may or may not feature in the 11 but he has to be given the first right of refusal,” said Srikkanth on YouTube.
