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Despite scoring 510 runs in 16 ODIs played so far, Samson was ignored by BCCI selectors for a place in the Indian team for the upcoming 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Harbhajan Singh questions Sanju Samson’s absence from India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh is surprised with Sanju Samson’s absence from India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad, which was announced by chief selector Ajit Agarkar during a press conference in Mumbai on January 18. Since making his ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka in July 2021, Samson has played 16 matches and has 510 runs to his name. His batting average in the 50-over format of the game is 56.66, and in his last match, the 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter scored 108 runs against South Africa in Paarl.
But despite his good record in the one-day format of the game, Samson has failed to find a place in India’s squad for the upcoming two big series. The decision to drop Samson has irked Harbhajan, who said he feels bad for the Kerala star who, despite scoring runs, is not being considered.
“Truly, I feel bad for him. He scores runs, but he is dropped. I know you can only select 15, but I feel his batting suits the format. He has an average of 55-56, but he isn’t even there as a second wicketkeeper. When we talk about selecting him, people ask, In whose place? Places can be made,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by Switch.
Rishabh Pant has been picked as wicketkeeper-batter for the eight-team ICC tournament, which starts on February 19, and KL Rahul will be his back-up. Rahul kept the wickets for India in 2023 when Pant was out of action due to multiple injuries he suffered in a road accident.
Apart from Samson, Harbhajan also expressed surprise over Yuzvendra Chahal’s snub. According to him, the Haryana-based cricketer could have been included in place of two left-arm spinners.
“Sanju isn’t there. Yuzvendra Chahal isn’t there, too. You’ve picked four spinners; two of them are left-armers. You could’ve included a leg-spinner for variation, too. Chahal is a superb bowler. I don’t know what wrong he did that he doesn’t fit this team.”
Chahal was a member of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup title last year, but his last appearance for India was against the West Indies during the five-match T20I series played in August 2023.