Legendary Indian batter Kris Srikkanth has voiced strong criticism over Sanju Samson’s exclusion from India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. The BCCI selectors opted for KL Rahul as the primary wicket-keeper, with Dhruv Jurel also included, leaving Samson on the sidelines. Srikkanth described the omission as “unfair,” highlighting Samson’s century in his last ODI against South Africa in 2023 and questioning the constant tinkering with his batting position over the years.

“Again, very unfair. Sanju should have been there, considering he scored a century in his last ODI. The reason for change keeps shifting for each player. One day he bats at 5, another day he opens, sometimes 7 or 8. How did Dhruv Jurel suddenly come in? Sanju may or may not feature in the 11, but he should be given the first right of refusal,” Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

The former India captain also criticised the selectors for their frequent changes to the squad, warning that such constant ‘chopping and changing’ can confuse players and undermine their confidence.

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“By making such selections constantly, they are confusing the players themselves. We aren’t sure every day who will play. Suddenly Yashasvi Jaiswal is there, and the next minute he isn’t. By chopping and changing all the time, they dent the confidence of the players,” he added.

Srikkanth’s remarks reflect broader concerns about team management and selection policies in Indian cricket. Fans and experts alike have debated Samson’s inconsistent opportunities despite his proven talent, with many agreeing that stability in batting positions and fair chances are crucial for nurturing key players ahead of high-profile series.

The former batter’s candid criticism highlights the need for a clear strategy from the BCCI selection panel, particularly as India prepares for a competitive series against Australia, where team cohesion and confidence will be crucial.

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India’s squad for ODIs against Australia: Shubman Gill (capt), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-capt), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal.