Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has been baffled by Sanju Samson’s absence from India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad which was announced on January 18.
Since making his ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka in July 2021, Samson has played 16 matches and has 510 runs to his name. He had a batting average of 56.66 and in his last game, the 30-year-old wicketkeeper batter scored 108 runs against South Africa in Paarl.
Despite his good record in the one-day format of the game, Samson has failed to find a place in the England tour of India and ICC event. The decision to drop Samson has irked Harbhajan, who is disappointed that he was not considered.
“Truly, I feel bad for him. He scores runs, but he is dropped. I know you can only select 15, but I feel his batting suits the format. He has an average of 55-56, but he isn’t even there as a second wicketkeeper.
When we talk about selecting him, people ask, In whose place? Places can be made,” said Harbhajan Singh.
The Wk-batter Rishabh Pant has been picked as primary Wk-batter for the eight team ICC tournament, which starts on February 19 and KL Rahul will be his back up.
Rahul kept the wickets for India in 2023 when Pant was out of action due to multiple injuries he suffered in road accident.
Other than Samson, Harbhajan also expressed suprise over Yuzvendra Chahal’s snub. According to him, the Haryana based cricketer could have been included in place of two left-arm spinners.
“Sanju isn’t there. Yuzvendra Chahal isn’t there, too. You’ve picked four spinners; two of them are left-armers. You could’ve included a leg-spinner for variation, too. Chahal is a superb bowler. I don’t know what wrong he did that he doesn’t fit this team.”
Yuzvendra Chahal was a member of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup title last year, but his last appearance for India was against West Indies during the five-match T20I series played in August 2023.
