NEW DELHI: Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson’s exclusion from the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 India squad stirred up considerable debate and disappointment among cricket enthusiasts. Samson has played 13 ODIs so far in his career, scoring 390 runs at an average of 55.71. Despite the healthy average, Sanju was not the selector's pick for the World Cup, set to kick off on October 5.
Despite making his international debut in 2014, Sanju has featured in less than 50 international games for India. Apart from the 13 ODIs, he has played 24 T20Is, scoring 374 runs in 21 innings at an average of 19.68 and a strike rate of 133.57.
Sanju was part of the India squad during the tour of West Indies from July-August this year. While he scored a half-century in his last ODI and overall 60 runs in two matches, he failed to deliver during the T20I series. He scored just 32 runs in three innings, with a best score of 13.
1/10:The Leaders: Captains to watch out for in the 2023 World Cup
2/10:Rohit Sharma (IND)
<p>One of the best limited overs batters of this generation, Rohit Sharma will lead India for the first time in the ODI World Cup. </p>AP
3/10:Rohit Sharma (IND)
<p>In the last two editions (2015 & 2019), Sharma played a pivotal role in India’s quest for the Cup. Under the captaincy of the 'Hitman', India won the 2018 Asia Cup (ODIs).</p>
4/10:Rohit Sharma (IND)
<p>Sharma will be eager to lead India in front of home crowds to a potential third ODI WC title.</p>AP
5/10:Pat Cummins (AUS)
<p>After Aaron Finch retired, Pat Cummins took over the reins and since then the Aussies have never looked back. They went on to win the World Test Championship Final against India and retained the Ashes as well.</p>
6/10:Pat Cummins (AUS)
<p>Cummins will lead Australia for the first time in an ODI World Cup. Cummins' aim will be to take Australia to a record extending 6th title.</p>
7/10:Jos Buttler (ENG)
<p>One of the most destructive wicket-keeper batters of all time, Jos Buttler, who led England to the 2022 T20 WC title, will be leading England for the first time in the ODI World Cup this time. </p>
8/10:Jos Buttler (ENG)
<p>Buttler's prime target will be to successfully defend the WC title - something only two teams have managed to do before - the West Indies and Australia.</p>
9/10:Babar Azam (PAK)
<p>One of the most prolific batters of the current era, Babar Azam has been brilliant with the bat. He has faced some criticism about his captaincy, but has the faith and trust of his teammates.</p>AFP
10/10:Babar Azam (PAK)
<p>The 2023 edition will be Babar’s second ODI World Cup and first as skipper. He will be desperate to lead his side to glory on Indian soil.</p>AFPTalking about Sanju's exclusion from the much-anticipated mega tournament, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh said the 28-year-old will have to wait for some more time.
"If you average 55 in ODIs and you are not part of the squad, then of course the questions will be raised. He played really well in the West Indies recently. Sanju wasn't selected because India already have two wicketkeepers in their World Cup squad - KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan. Ishan also scored decent runs in the West Indies. Ishan also played a really brilliant knock against Pakistan (in the Asia Cup)," Harbhajan said.
"If I have to choose between KL Rahul and Sanju Samson, I would definitely pick KL Rahul. I will put KL Rahul ahead of Sanju. I am picking KL because of the stability he provides at No.4, and No.5. Samson is also a talented player and can hit sixes at will. I am his big fan. You can't have three wicketkeeper-batters in a team. If there will be then it will be difficult to field all of them in the XI," he said.
1/10:Top-5: Players who missed the ODI World Cup bus
2/10:Yuzvendra Chahal
<p>One of the biggest omissions from the World Cup squad is Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal has been out of action in ODIs since January.<br /></p>
3/10:Yuzvendra Chahal
<p>His spin-twin Kuldeep Yadav has overtaken his friend in the WC squad. The last time Chahal played in a World Cup was in the 2019 edition.<br /></p>
4/10:Ravichandran Ashwin
<p>The veteran spin all-rounder is also one big name missing from the World Cup squad. <br /></p>ANI
5/10:Ravichandran Ashwin
<p>Ashwin’s last ODI was against South Africa in January 2022. Ashwin played in a couple of ODI World Cups (2011 and 2015) <br /><br /><br /></p>
6/10:Sanju Samson
<p>Sanju Samson’s omission from the World Cup was expected as KL Rahul returned to the squad after his injury and Ishan Kishan’s brilliance with the bat.<br /></p>
7/10:Sanju Samson
<p>Samson played his last ODI against the West Indies during India’s tour of the West Indies recently and is the travelling reserve for the Asia Cup squad. <br /></p>
8/10:Shikhar Dhawan
<p>Shikhar Dhawan is another big name missing from the WC squad. Dhawan played in two ODI World Cups (2015 and 2019) and contributed significantly to the Indian side.<br /></p>
9/10:Shikhar Dhawan
<p>Dhawan is known for his brilliance in ICC tournaments, where he always had a dream run with the bat. But he hasn't been in the scheme of things for a while. The last time Dhawan played ODIs was in December 2022<br /></p>
10/10:Prasidh Krishna
<p>Rounding up this list with Prasidh Krishna. The tall fast bowler recently made a stellar comeback from injury against the Irish side in T20Is. <br /></p>"Sanju is talented but he will need to wait for his chance. He will have to wait for his time and turn. Ishan Kishan is set. He has cemented his place. KL too has cemented his place. KL is a class player. Sanju has to wait. Age is by his side. He is a great student of the game and a talented cricketer. He has played a lot of IPL matches and captained Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. But he will have to wait some more time. I do feel for Sanju Samson," Harbhajan said.
India will kick off their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.
