Aakash Chopra Questions Sanju Samson’s Exclusion from India’s ODI Team

July 20, 2024 0 854

Aakash Chopra reacted to Sanju Samson’s surprising exclusion from India’s ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour, suggesting that the decision reflects a pattern where senior players are preferred over young talents.

Sanju Samson’s exclusion from India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka has caused surprise, especially given his recent century (108) against South Africa on December 21, 2023. Many were shocked by his omission, including former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra, who questioned the decision.

When speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra suggested that Samson’s omission might be due to the return of senior players and ongoing changes within the team. He explained that young players often get sidelined when established players become available again, despite strong performances from the newcomers.

“The problem is that you see quite often that the main team players don’t play between two World Cups. Then some youngster plays, and when he does well, you feel he is very good and should be given opportunities, but as soon as the senior player becomes available, the senior plays and the youngster is left out. If you see logically, it’s right because he was keeping the bench warm, but is it right?” Chopra said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also pointed out that transitions, such as changes in coaching staff or selection committees, sometimes lead to gaps in team selections.

“When the transition happens—a new coach, a new captain, or a new selection committee—bridges are not built at times, and there are gaps left in the middle. It’s that gap in Sanju Samson’s case because clarity of thought is not there, as he had scored a century the last time he was played, so why is he not a part of the team now?” he added.

Since his ODI debut in July 2021, Samson has scored 510 runs in 16 matches with a strike rate of 99.6, including one century and three fifties. Despite missing out on the ODI squad, he performed well in IPL 2024 and retained his spot in the T20I team.