Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar shared his thoughts on India’s decision to pick Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the squads for both E.D.I series against England at home and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
On Saturday, January 18, the Indian selectors surprised many with some of their bold yet unexpected calls such as Mohammed SirajSubman Gill’s embarrassment, Subman Gill’s appointment as vice-captain and Sanju Samson’s exclusion for both the England series and the ICC eight-nation tournament.
Sunil Gavaskar reacts to Rishabh Pant’s selection over Sanju Samson for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The Indian selector made the tough call on Samson despite his impressive performance in T20 cricket in 2024, which included two centuries against South Africa and one against Bangladesh. Even Samson’s numbers in ODI cricket look stronger, averaging 56.66 compared to Pant’s 33.50.
But with only 16 ODIs under his belt, Samson’s limited experience may have played a role in the selection of Pant, who has a proven ability to change momentum in crucial matches. Reports claimed that the Indian batsman’s refusal to play in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 played a key role in his exclusion from the 2025 Champions Trophy squad.
However, the former Indian captain felt it was a strategic decision to go with Rishabh Pant over Samson. Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out that Rishabh Pant’s left-handed batting and excellent wicketkeeping skills are the main reasons behind the selectors’ decision to leave out Sanju Samson for the upcoming prestigious tournament.
Sanju Samson should not feel disappointed: Sunil Gavaskar
However, the legendary Indian cricketer acknowledged Samson’s achievements and said he has the entire nation’s sympathy for his embarrassment, but advised the talented batsman to stay positive and use this setback as motivation for future opportunities.
Sunil Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today: “Very tough because the man has scored hundreds and hundreds of runs. There is no excuse to leave him out. But, he was up against Rishabh Pant, who we all know can be a game changer. Moreover, Rishabh Pant is left-handed and is probably the better wicketkeeper, though he may not be the better batsman than Samson. Pant can change the game maybe a bit more than Samson and that’s why Samson lost. But Samson should not feel disappointed because all Indian cricket fans will sympathize with him for what he has achieved.”
Shashi Tharoor slams KCA for making false allegations against Sanju Samson
Recently, Kerala politician Shashi Tharoor attacked the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for its false allegations regarding Samson’s refusal to play in the preparatory camp for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.
Specifically, KCA reportedly said that they dismissed Sanju from the VHT team due to his refusal to attend the camp and this eventually led to the Indian cricketer losing his place in the Indian cricket team for the upcoming tournament.
Shashi Tharoor posted on X: ‘Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson’s apologies — player wrote to KCA in advance, regretting not being able to attend a training camp between SMA and the Vijay Hazare tournament Trophy, and was immediately dropped from the team — now resulting in Sanju’s exclusion from the Indian team.
A top-scoring batsman of 212* in Hazare, who averages 56.66 in ODIs for India (including a century in his last outing, against South Africa) has his career ruined by the egos of cricket administrators . Doesn’t it bother the KCA bosses that by leaving out Sanju, they ensured that Kerala won’t even make it to Hazare’s quarter-finals? Where does that leave him?’
The sad saga of the Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson — the player wrote to the KCA in advance, lamenting his inability to attend a training camp between the SMA and Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments and was immediately dropped from the team — has now resulted in…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 18, 2025
2025-01-19 21:07:00
