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The omission of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from recent squad selections has ignited debates and discussions within the cricketing fraternity and among fans. Despite Samson’s impressive ODI batting average of 55.71, he has found himself sidelined from the Indian cricket team for various assignments, including the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia and the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
Harbhajan Singh sheds light on the matter
Samson’s consistent omission has sparked outrage on social media platforms, with fans expressing their discontent over the talented cricketer’s exclusion from the national team.
In response to the widespread debate, former Indian cricketer and commentator Harbhajan Singh provided insights into the rationale behind Samson’s absence. Speaking on his Youtube channel, Harbhajan stated that the primary reason for Samson’s omission is the presence of two other accomplished wicketkeepers in the Indian team, namely Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul.
“Sanju Samson’s exclusion has raised a lot of debates. If you average 55 in ODIs and still don’t be a part of the squad, then definitely that’s strange. But I think Sanju wasn’t selected because India already had two wicketkeepers, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan. Both are also a part of the World Cup squad,” Harbhajan said.
Patience and persistence for Sanju
While acknowledging that such decisions can be disheartening for the player, Harbhajan emphasized that the Kerala-born cricketer would need to bide his time for an opportunity.
“Sanju will need to wait for his chance. I know it is difficult to accept sometimes and one can get disheartened. But age is on his side and I urge him to continue putting in the hard yards and wait for his time,” the 43-year-old added.
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Harbhajan prefers KL Rahul in ODIs
Harbhajan also expressed his personal preference for Rahul as the choice wicketkeeper-batter in One Day Internationals (ODIs). The Jalandhar-born cricketer emphasized that, given Rahul’s stellar performances and remarkable comeback, he would select Rahul over Samson for the ODI format.
“If I have to choose between KL Rahul and Sanju Samson, I would definitely select Rahul because of the stability he provides at No.4, and No.5. Samson is also a good player and can hit sixes at will, but the situation now is such that you can’t have three wicketkeeper-batters in a team. It will be difficult to field all of them in the XI,” the Indian stalwart concluded.
KL Rahul’s remarkable comeback
Rahul, who recently made a stunning comeback to international cricket with a remarkable century against Pakistan, has strengthened his claim as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the impending World Cup 2023. the 31-year-old stellar performance has positioned him as a formidable candidate to don the wicketkeeper’s gloves during the tournament scheduled from October 5 to November 19, hosted on home soil.
Ishan Kishan’s emergence
Adding to the competition, Kishan’s noteworthy performances, particularly against Pakistan in the continental cup, have further solidified his role within the Indian squad. This dynamic has made the prospect of Samson’s inclusion in the national team more challenging at present.
