Sanju Samson IGNORED by Gautam Gambhir as BCCI Announce India’s T20I, ODI Squad For Sri Lanka Tour?

Gambhir has in the past lavished praise on the wicketkeeper-batter and hence one would have believed that Samson's career would probably take off now - but that does not seem to be the case.

Mumbai: The Indian squad for the T20Is, ODIs for the Sri Lanka series was announced on Thursday evening. Once the much-awaited announcement happened after two days of heated debates between Gautam Gambhir and the selectors. While the squad is interesting and gives a proper picture of what Gambhir is looking for, one has to admit that Sanju Samson has not got a good deal. Samson, who has not got a lot of opportunities in his career, would have been hoping that he can cement his spot in the side – T20Is and ODIs. Samson’s hopes would have soared after Gambhir took over as India’s head coach.

Gambhir has in the past lavished praise on the wicketkeeper-batter and hence one would have believed that Samson’s career would probably take off now – but that does not seem to be the case. “If Sanju Samson doesn’t play for India, it’s India’s loss,” Gambhir said in 2020.

“You have that experience of playing international cricket. You are not a newbie that you will wait any longer. You have tasted international cricket and you’ve done well in the IPL, and now you have the chance to play the World Cup. So, hopefully, Sanju shows the world what he is capable of at this stage,” Gambhir had said before the T20 WC 2024 squad was picked.

CURRENT SCENARIO

Now, Samson is in the T20I side when the focus would be on ODIs. Also, Samson may not find a spot in the XI because Rishabh Pant is also there in the T20I squad. And Samson has been ignored in the ODIs, a format he would have hoped he got more chances in.