Sanju Samson, who has been on and off with the Indian cricket team is once again ‘off’ for the ODI series against Sri Lanka. This has become a topic of big discussion. India is set to play three ODIs against Sri Lanka, and Samson’s exclusion is viewed as particularly unfortunate by many. This is especially surprising given his excellent performance in ODIs in South Africa, where he scored a century in the final match and helped the team secure a 2-1 series win. In 16 games, he has 510 runs with an impressive average of 56.66.
Despite all this, his absence from the upcoming 50-over series against Sri Lanka has disappointed many fans. To understand the reasons behind his exclusion, let’s see three possible factors which could be the reason.
Why is Sanju Samson not in India ODI squad against Sri Lanka?
Wicketkeepers like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are already in the mix
One reason for Sanju Samson’s exclusion is the presence of KL Rahul in the squad. Rahul, who has played 75 matches and scored 2,820 runs, provides strong stability as a top-order batter. And offers the team a boost with his experience as a senior wicketkeeper-batter.
His consistency in this format is evident, with the best example being his performance in the 2023 World Cup. Also he excelled in the No. 4 position. Samson has played fewer matches than Rahul, but the latter’s performances have been more consistent, making Rahul a more reliable choice.
Samson’s poor record against spinners
From a batting perspective, it is well known that Samson struggles on spin-friendly surfaces. Since the matches are set to be played at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where the pitch has favored spinners in the past, particularly leg-spinners, this could be a concern. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga, who has taken 14 wickets in eight matches, could pose a strong challenge to Samson.
The right-handed batter has been dismissed by Hasaranga six times in T20Is.And looking at this scenario, this could also be the reason for his exculsion.
Team is looking for more sustainable options, such as Rishabh Pant
Another possible reason that many people are observing is that Indian cricket is looking to invest in players who can contribute to the ODI format over the long term. Sanju Samson, now 29, would be 32 by the 2027 World Cup. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant, considered an X-factor by the team management. And Pant offers a interesting combination of aggressive batting and wicket-keeping skills. He’s ability to bat in top-order positions and his flexibility in the batting order make him a significant asset for India, giving him an edge over Samson.
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