New Delhi:
The recent announcement of India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked a heated debate, particularly with the exclusion of Sanju Samson, a player whose impressive ODI statistics have failed to secure him a spot in the team. Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has voiced his disappointment over Samson’s omission, highlighting the player’s suitability for the 50-over format.
Samson, who has played 16 ODIs and amassed 510 runs at an average of 56.66, was surprisingly left out of the 15-member squad. His last ODI appearance for India was in December 2023 against South Africa, where he scored a century, further emphasizing his form and capability. Despite these credentials, Samson was overlooked in favor of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as the wicketkeeper-batters for the tournament.
Harbhajan Singh expressed his dismay over Samson’s exclusion, stating, “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.” Singh’s comments underscore the confusion among fans and experts regarding the selection criteria.
The squad, announced by chief selector Ajit Agarkar on January 18, 2025, has also raised questions about the BCCI’s preference for IPL players over domestic performers. Karun Nair, who had a phenomenal run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025, scoring 779 runs at an average of 389.5, was also snubbed, leading to accusations that the BCCI favors IPL players over those performing well in domestic cricket.
Agarkar defended the selection, citing the team’s consistent performers and the difficulty in fitting everyone into a 15-member squad. However, this explanation has not quelled the criticism, with many arguing that players like Samson and Nair have demonstrated sufficient merit to be included.
Harbhajan Singh also criticized the exclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal, suggesting that the leg-spinner could have added valuable variation to the team’s spin department. “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,” Singh remarked.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, 2025, with India playing all their matches in Dubai. As the tournament approaches, the debate over the squad selection continues to simmer, reflecting the high stakes and intense scrutiny that come with representing India in international cricket.
