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Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar shares his thoughts on India’s decision to select Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson for the upcoming 2025 edition Views of the ICC Champions Trophy. India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar has announced the squad for the home ODI series against England and the upcoming International Cricket Championship (ICC) Champions Trophy. Trophy 2025.
On Saturday, January 18, the Indian selectors surprised many by taking some bold and unexpected decisions, including the snub of Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill ) was promoted to vice-captain, and Sanju Samson was left out of the England series and the Eight-Nation ICC Championship.
Sunil Gavaskar reacts to Rishabh Pant beating Sanju Samson to win ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The Indian selectors made tough demands on Samson despite his stellar performances in T20 cricket in 2024, which included two centuries against South Africa and a century against Bangladesh. Even Samson’s numbers in ODI cricket look stronger, averaging 56.66 as compared to Pant’s average of 33.50.
But with Samson having completed only 16 ODIs, limited experience may have played a role in the selection of Pant, who has proven capable of turning the momentum around in crucial matches. Reports claim that the India wicketkeeper-batsman played a key role in his omission from the 2025 Champions Trophy squad by refusing to take part in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.
However, the former India captain feels that continuing to use Rishabh Pant instead of Samson was a strategic decision. Sunil Gavaskar pointed out Rishabh Pant’s left-handed batting and excellent wicketkeeping skills as the selectors’ decision to exclude Sanju Samson from the upcoming tournament The main reason outside of the prestigious tournament.
Sanju Samson must not be frustrated: Sunil Gavaskar
The legendary Indian cricketer, however, acknowledged Samson’s achievements and said the nation sympathized with him for the snub but advised the talented wicketkeeper-batsman to stay positive and use this setback as an opportunity for the future Momentum of opportunity.
India Today quoted Sunil Gavaskar as saying: “It’s very tough because this guy has scored hundreds of runs. There is no reason to exclude him. But his opponent is Rishabh Pant and we all know Rishabh Pant Can be a game-changer. Also, Rishabh Pant is a left-hand bowler and he might be a better wicketkeeper, although he might not be a better batsman than Samson. Pant might be a better game-changer than Samson. , that’s why Samson missed out, but Samson need not be frustrated as all Indian cricket lovers will sympathize with what he has achieved.”
Shashi Tharoor slams KCA for false accusations against Sanju Samson
Recently, Kerala politician Shashi Tharoor slammed the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for making false accusations against Samson for refusing to play in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy preliminary camp.
Notably, KCA reportedly said that they dropped Sanju from the VHT squad due to his refusal to attend the training camp, which ultimately resulted in the Indian cricketer losing his spot in the Indian cricket team for the upcoming event Location.
Shashi Tharoor posted on and was immediately informed of being dropped from the national team roster – which has now resulted in Sanju being left out of the Indian team.
A batsman who scored the highest score of 212* in Hazare and averaged 56.66 in ODIs in India (including a century in his last game against South Africa), his career has been managed by cricket Destroyed by the author’s ego. Won’t KCA bosses ensure that Kerala doesn’t even make it to the quarter-finals of the Hazare race by excluding Sanju? What does this make him do?
The sad story of the Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson – the player wrote to the KCA in advance expressing his regrets that he would not be able to attend the training camp between the SMA and the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament and was immediately removed from the game Removed from the team – now leading to…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 18, 2025
