Team India has decided to continue experimenting with lineups before the World Cup, as multiple chops and changes were made to the team playing Australia in the first 2 ODIs from the one that played Sri Lanka in the finals of the Asia Cup. Kerala-batter Sanju Samson was not given a place in the side, which included many new faces. Earlier Suryakumar Yadav had pipped Sanju Samson for a spot in the World Cup squad owing to his T20 form.
The BCCI announced the squad for the first two matches of the ODI series against Australia on Monday. It came as a surprise to a lot as Sanju Samson was omitted from the side, despite India’s mainstay top-order being rested for the initial matches. Sanju Samson was named as a travelling reserve for the recently concluded Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, however his services were not required and therefore returned home.
Irfan Pathan disappointed over Sanju Samson’s absence
Irfan Pathan took to his social media handle and was crestfallen to not see Sanju Samson in the ODI squad against Australia. The 3 match ODI series is set to commence from 22nd September and would serve as a stepping stone for the sides ahead of the ODI WC 2023.
Tweet
If I’m in place of @IamSanjuSamson right now I will be very disappointed…
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 18, 2023
Questionable selection by BCCI
The decision of selectors to play Suryakumar Yadav over Sanju Samson for the Asia Cup and World Cup, was a matter of great argument amongst the Cricket community, as the latter has a dismal record when it comes to ODIs. Yadav has scored 538 runs in 27 ODIs at an average of 24.41, including two half-centuries so far, while Sanju Samson has amassed 390 runs in 13 ODIs at an average of 55.71, including three half-centuries
The decision to include Suryakumar Yadav on back of his T20 form has not benefitted India until now, as the batter failed to perform in the only game he played in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh, scoring just 26 off 34 balls. Sanju Samson would’ve been a better fit to the ODI setup according to experts as he has the ability to shift gears according to the stage of the game, unlike SKY who is more of an attacking batsman for all weathers.