Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has expressed disappointment over the omission of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Despite his impressive ODI average of over 56, Samson was overlooked in favor of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
Sanju Samson last featured in ODIs in December 2023 during the South Africa series, where Rishabh Pant was unavailable due to injury. However, with Pant’s recovery and return in 2024 during the Sri Lanka series, Samson was dropped. This decision has raised eyebrows, particularly among cricket experts like Harbhajan.
“Honestly, I feel bad for him. He scores runs but still gets dropped. His batting perfectly suits the ODI format, and he has an average of 55-56. It’s surprising that he wasn’t even considered as the backup wicketkeeper. People ask who he should replace, but places can always be created for players like him,” Harbhajan said during a discussion with Switch.
Chahal’s Exclusion Also Questioned
Harbhajan also criticized the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal from the Champions Trophy squad. The selectors opted for four spinners, including two left-arm options, but did not include the experienced leg-spinner.
“Yuzvendra Chahal’s exclusion is baffling. He’s a brilliant bowler and could’ve provided crucial variation in the spin attack. I’m not sure what went wrong for him not to fit into the team,” Harbhajan added.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Role Uncertain
Harbhajan also shared his thoughts on Yashasvi Jaiswal, who earned his maiden ODI call-up for the series against England and the Champions Trophy. While he initially expected Jaiswal to open alongside Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan now believes that with Shubman Gill named vice-captain, Jaiswal might not find a spot in the top order.
“I thought Yashasvi would open the innings, but it seems unlikely now. With Shubman Gill as vice-captain, he will play alongside Rohit. And Jaiswal can’t bat at three or four because those spots are taken by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer,” Harbhajan remarked.
Looking Ahead
With the Champions Trophy approaching, the squad selections have sparked debates among fans and experts alike. The exclusion of players like Samson and Chahal highlights the challenges of fitting talented players into a limited 15-member team, but the decisions continue to leave many puzzled.
