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Sunil Gavaskar reveals why BCCI selectors chose Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson


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. India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar has announced the squads for both the ODI series against England at home and the upcoming ICC Champions. Cup 2025.

On Saturday, January 18, the Indian selectors surprised many with some bold but unexpected calls, including the sacking of Mohammad Siraj, the promotion of Shubman Gill as vice-captain and the exclusion of Sanju Samson from both the England series and the eight-nation ICC tournament.

Sunil Gavaskar reacts to Rishabh Pant’s selection over Sanju Samson for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Indian selector gave Samson a tough call in 2024 despite his impressive performances in T20 cricket, which included two centuries against South Africa and a century against Bangladesh. Even Samson’s numbers in ODI cricket look stronger, averaging 56.66 compared to Pant’s 33.50.

Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Dodda Ganesh attacks former selector for questioning KL Rahul’s place in India squad

But with just 16 ODIs under his belt, Samson’s limited experience could play a role in the selection of Pant, who has proven his ability to shift momentum in crucial matches. Reports claimed that the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman’s refusal to play in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 was instrumental in his exclusion from the 2025 Champions Trophy squad.

However, the former India captain felt it was a strategic decision to go ahead with Rishabh Pant over Samson. Sunil Gavaskar stated that Rishabh Pant’s left-handed batting and exceptional wicketkeeping skills were the main reasons behind the selectors’ decision to drop Sanju Samson in the upcoming prestigious tournament.

Sanju Samson should not be discouraged: Sunil Gavaskar

However, the legendary Indian cricketer acknowledged Samson’s achievements and said that he deserves the admiration of the entire nation, but he advised the talented wicketkeeper to stay positive and use this setback as motivation for future opportunities.

Sunil Gavaskar was quoted by India Today as saying, “Very difficult because the man is scoring hundreds and hundreds of runs. There is no excuse to leave him out. But he is up against Rishabh Pant who we all know can change the game. .Also Rishabh Pant is left handed and although he is not a better batsman than Samson, he is probably a better keeper.Pant can change his game a bit more than Samson But Samson should not be disappointed as all Indian cricket fans will sympathize with him for what he has achieved.

Shashi Tharoor slams KCA for false charges against Sanju Samson

Recently, Kerala politician Shashi Tharoor slammed the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for its false allegations that Samson refused to play in the preparatory camp for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.

Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma thwarts Sanju Samson’s selection after clash with Gautam Gambhir

Notably, Sanju was dropped from the VHT squad for refusing to turn up for the camp, according to KCA, leading to the Indian cricketer losing his spot in the Indian cricket team for the upcoming event.

Shashi Tharoor wrote on X: “Kerala Cricket Association and the sad saga of Sanju Samson – the player wrote in advance to KCA regretting that he could not attend the training camp between the SMA and Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments and it was immediate. out of the squad – which has now resulted in Sanju’s exclusion from the Indian team.

A batsman with a top score of 212* in Hazare, who averaged 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 worry the KCA bosses that they left out Sanju and ensured Kerala Hazare didn’t even make it to the quarter finals? Where does that leave him?”





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