Sanju Samson has been in remarkable form for team India recently. The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Kerala has delivered consistent performances, scoring three centuries in his last seven T20Is. In his most recent 50-over match against South Africa in Paarl on December 21, 2023, Samson impressed yet again with a brilliant 108-run knock.
Despite these stellar performances, Samson was not included in India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Instead, Rishabh Pant was chosen as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter, with KL Rahul named as the back-up. The decision to overlook Samson has left many fans disappointed and sparked debates among cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik weighed in on the matter, stating that the decision was expected. According to Karthik, the selection came down to a direct competition between Samson and Pant, and the selectors leaned towards Pant due to his unique advantage as a left-handed batter.
As per Dinesh Karthik, Sanju Samson’s absence in Vijay Hazare Trophy also played a part in his omission from the squad.
For now, Samson’s omission remains a point of contention, but it highlights the stiff competition within the Indian cricket team for key roles.
