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Sunil Gavaskar Comments On Sanju Samson’s Omission For Champions Trophy
By CricShots - Jan 20, 2025 2:54 pm
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The Indian squad for the England ODIs and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been announced, revealing KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as the only two wicketkeeping options for the pivotal assignments. Notably, Sanju Samson has been excluded from the team for the upcoming 50-over events, a decision that has sparked conversations among fans and experts alike.

Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson last played an ODI in 2023 during India’s series against South Africa, where he made a significant impact. His standout performance came in the series decider, where he scored a century that helped India clinch the series 2-1. However, despite his contributions, Samson has been overlooked in recent months.

India played three ODIs on their tour of Sri Lanka, but Samson was not included in any of the matches. The decision to omit Samson has drawn criticism, with former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar voicing his disappointment.

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“There is no excuse to leave him out,” Sunil Gavaskar said in an interview with Sports Today, as reported by The Indian Express. He acknowledged that Samson was in direct competition with Rishabh Pant, who is considered a game-changer.

Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar pointed out that Pant’s left-handed batting and superior wicketkeeping skills likely gave him the edge, even though Samson might be the better batter. “Pant can change the game perhaps a little more than Samson, and that’s why Samson missed out. But Samson must not feel dejected because all Indian cricket lovers appreciate what he has achieved,” Gavaskar added.

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Samson, however, has a chance to make his mark in the five-match T20I series against England, starting January 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The Kerala-born cricketer will be eager to deliver standout performances in the series to reassert his case for future selections and prove his worth to the national team selectors.