ODI series vs Australia: Former India opener expresses concern over Sanju Samson’s exclusion from squad

Despite performing brilliantly in the 50-over format for the Indian team over 13 games, wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson finds himself out of the Indian squad, not just for the ODI World Cup but also for the three-match series against Australia. 

Several fans off Sanju continue to criticise the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee over the decision. Even some former cricketers are also showing sympathy for Sanju.

India’s T20 World Cup 2007 winning player Robin Uthappa feels it’s tough to be in Samson’s shoes at the moment.

“No one would wanna be in Sanju’s shoes right now!!” Uthappa posted on X (formerly Twitter) after BCCI announced India squad for the 3-match ODI series against Australia.

“The justification could be that even if he was in the squad he wouldn’t get a game. But not even being in the squad would be quite disheartening,” Uthappa wrote on another tweet.

Meanwhile, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a return to India’s ODI squad due to an injury to spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel.