India tour of Sri Lanka: Sanju Samson dropped from Team India's ODI squad against Sri Lanka. What went wrong for Sanju Samson? Is this the end for Sanju?
India's newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has expressed faith in the talent of Kerala-born cricketer Sanju Samson by endorsing his selection for the upcoming T20I matches. However, the decision to omit Samson from the ODI squad has left many of his supporters feeling conflicted, akin to swallowing a bittersweet pill.
This exclusion is not without its rationale. There is a prevailing sentiment that Samson's stellar performances often go unnoticed, while his occasional setbacks are overly scrutinised. His impressive IPL track record speaks volumes, yet his unselfish style of play, which should be an asset, sometimes seems to work against him. His inclination towards quick runs contrasts with the selectors' preference for batters with consistent high scores. Furthermore, his leadership skills and candid interviews reveal a cricketing intellect unbound by convention.
The news of Samson's omission from the ODI squad, despite his selection for the T20Is, has sparked a wave of questioning. Former cricketers, such as Dodda Ganesh, who represented India in 1997, voiced their dissatisfaction with the BCCI's decision to favour Shivam Dube over Samson. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ganesh exclaimed, "Shivam Dube over Sanju Samson in ODIs is absurd! Poor Sanju scored a century in his last series against SA. Why is he always overlooked? My heart goes out to this young man."
Ganesh's words capture the disappointment felt by many fans and analysts alike, highlighting the complexities of selection processes in Indian cricket.
Read More: Should in-form players play all formats or is 'horses for courses' the right way forward?
Is Sanju Samson unfairly treated?
Just as Indian former captain MS Dhoni cast a long shadow over other wicketkeepers during his tenure, Rishabh Pant's recent return to international cricket has once again marginalised Sanju Samson. Since his debut in July 2021, Samson has played a mere 16 matches over three years. Pant's resurgence has played a significant role in Samson's exclusion from the white-ball format, a decision that was more understandable in the past but seems less justifiable now.
Despite Pant's undeniable talent, his performances in ODIs have often fallen short of expectations. Compared to Samson, who has had fewer opportunities, Pant averages significantly lower despite playing twice the number of matches. While the Indian management often cites a structured pecking order, this instance appears to defy that logic.
Pant's heroics in Test cricket have undoubtedly bolstered his reputation, yet the question remains whether it is equitable to overlook Samson, who boasts an ODI average of 56 and last scored a century in his most recent outing, especially in favour of a player who has not featured in a 50-over game for nearly two years.
Samson’s Form in ODIs
Despite his impressive talent and consistent performances, the 29-year-old cricketer often found himself on the periphery of selection. His ODI career statistics show his abilities. In just 16 matches for the national team, he has amassed 510 runs at an impressive average of 56.7, which includes one century and three half-centuries.
These numbers also show his ability to capitalise on limited opportunities and deliver crucial performances for the Indian team. Furthermore, he has demonstrated versatility by performing effectively across various batting positions in the 50-over format.
Sanju Samson's pivotal contribution came in India's recent ODI against South Africa, where he was the standout player and earned the Man of the Match award for his exceptional innings of 108 runs off 114 balls in Paarl. His ability to anchor the innings, especially at No. 3, on a challenging pitch that slowed down as the match progressed, highlighted his fluency and composure—a quality lacking in many of his teammates on that day.
This performance is not an anomaly but rather indicative of his potential. In his 16 ODIs, Samson not only averages more than the legendary MS Dhoni but also scores at a quicker rate than Virat Kohli, albeit in a smaller sample size.
Did KL Rahul play a factor in Samson’s exclusion?
KL Rahul played an important role in India's ODI World Cup journey, maintaining dominance and composure throughout, up until the final match. Adding to his value, Rahul also served as India's primary wicketkeeper in the last World Cup. This raises the pertinent question: is it necessary for India to accommodate three wicketkeepers in one squad, especially when all three also occupy middle-order batting positions? This could be the most probable reason the selectors will have for justifying Samson’s exclusion.
Among the trio, Rahul is the sole player whose position in the team is assured. However, with the management's firm support for Pant and the presence of KL Rahul, who also dons the gloves, complicates Sanju Samson's prospects even further.
Samson's recent exclusion from the ODI squad against Sri Lanka adds weight to the argument of his underutilisation. Despite his recent form and demonstrated capability, the decision to omit him raises questions about the consistency and clarity of selection criteria in Indian cricket.
It takes plenty to upset the established pecking order, especially when the players ahead of you are as good as India’s first-choice team. With plenty more rotation expected for future series, Samson should get more chances. All he can do is keep making runs.
India squad for Sri Lanka ODIs: Rohit Sharma (capt), Ꮪhubman Gill (vice-capt), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.
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