South Africa legend AB de Villiers opined on star batter Sanju Samson missing out on India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against England. The Indian team will play three ODIs in England starting July 14 as well. However, Team India picked Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul as the two wicket-keeper batters, while Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson failed to get a place. AB de Villiers, however, said that Sanju Samson may have been close to being included, as he had a solid IPL 2026 season and did well at the 2026 T20 World Cup as well.
“Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul the two top wicket-keepers. The big thing there is no Pant, no Samson. Samson must have been close, closer than Pant, as he had a really good IPL but also prior to that, showing signs of form. Not a lot of surprises there but just for Samson, I feel he was close,” he said on his YouTube channel.
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“Virat Kohli back. Little bit of a tough one on Jaiswal, who was back in Virat’s place, scoring the hundred and now he’s got to make way. No complaints there but it just a little bit harsh on players sometimes when your King comes back, when the man players come back, there is a process they are looking at. So truly makes sense for Virat to step in there and make sure he maintains the kind of form he showed in the IPL,” he shared.
However, AB de Villiers also added that star pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the ODI setup. Bumrah was added to the squad for the England series as well. He also credited the Indian team management for realising Bumrah’s worth and managing his workload accordingly as well.
“Bumrah returns, playing his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup final. Kudos to India for identifying one of the key members of the side and priority will be for him to be fit, fresh, mentally in a good place going into that World Cup. He was still fantastic as well, giving his best in the IPL, but I saw some cracks there. Maybe he was not completely fresh and not as motivated as usual. There was certainly something a little bit off about him,” AB de Villiers concluded.
