Indian politician Shashi Tharoor has expressed bewilderment over the exclusion of Sanju Samson from India’s T20I squad against Australia. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, leading the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, possesses exceptional T20 skills, making his continued omission a subject of scrutiny in the cricketing world. Tharoor, along with other vocal supporters, finds the absence of Samson perplexing, especially considering his current form and proficiency in the shorter format.

Sanju Samson’s exclusion under the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar has generated discontent, particularly in the absence of key players. Shashi Tharoor and other advocates for Samson have taken to social media to express their disappointment and question the selectors’ decision. Tharoor, in a post on ‘X’, voiced his concerns about the talented wicketkeeper-batter’s absence and called for an explanation from the selectors.

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“This is truly inexplicable. Sanju Samson should have not just been selected, he should have led the side in the absence of all the seniors. His captaincy experience with Kerala and Rajasthan Royals is more current than SKY’s. Our selectors need to explain themselves to the cricket-loving public. And why no Yuzvendra Chahal either?,” Tharoor remarked.

This is truly inexplicable. @IamSanjuSamson should have not just been selected, he should have led the side in the absence of all the seniors. His captaincy experience with Kerala and @rajasthanroyals is more current than SKY’s. Our selectors need to explain themselves to the… https://t.co/W251o89jzs

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 21, 2023

While Samson has shown intermittent promise in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and recent outings for Kerala, his irregular presence in the Indian squad persists. Notably, his exclusion from the World Cup 2023 team, in favor of Suryakumar Yadav, reflects the selectors’ preferences, sidelining the Kerala batter despite his occasional strong performances.

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The BCCI recently unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, commencing on November 23 in Vishakhapatnam. With senior players rested, Suryakumar Yadav assumes leadership, marking his debut stint as India’s T20I skipper. This strategic move indicates India’s preparations for the impending T20 World Cup in 2024, offering a glimpse into their preparatory measures.