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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already started its preparations for the team selection for the India National Cricket Team for the forthcoming ODI World Cup 2027. They have nearly decided on the team that will travel to the major tournament. Amidst this, former opener Wasim Jaffer has revealed why Sanju Samson should not be picked in the ODI squad.
The Men in Blue side will face West Indies in the three-match series, and it will be their preparation and try-and-test place for some of the cricketers as to who the BCCI would want to include in the ODI World Cup 2027 squad, which is scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
"I do not see Sanju Samson": Wasim Jaffer on Sanju Samson being a back-up opener in ODI World Cup
While speaking in a press release, the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter stated that he does not see Sanju Samson as a backup opener in the ODI World Cup 2027 squad. He revealed that the T20 World Cup winner with India still has consistency problems and that, to play 50-over cricket, more consistency is needed.
He said, as per a press release, "I do not see Sanju Samson as a backup opener for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027; I think there's a slight issue of consistency with him. In one-day cricket, you require a bit more consistency because there is more time at the crease."
"Sanju has definitely scored a hundred in his last ODI, but he has played quite a bit of ODI cricket, and consistency has been an issue for him. I think India has a few better options than Sanju Samson. I feel Sanju should be left alone to play T20 cricket."
Sanju Samson ODI form
However, despite struggling with consistency, the numbers in ODIs speak differently. Sanju has featured in 16 ODIs and batted in 14 innings, scoring 510 runs at an average of 56.66, including three centuries and three fifties. But he has not been a regular member of the 50-over squad given the depth and combination that the squad goes with in the format.
In T20Is, the opener has made 1,432 runs in 66 matches and 58 innings at an average of 27.01, including three centuries and six fifties. He was awarded Player of the Tournament in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as he scored 321 runs in five innings, including three successive half-centuries, and finished as India’s leading run-getter in the tournament.
Yashasvi Jaiswal an obvious choice in ODI squad
Wasim Jaffer also believes that Yashasvi Jaiswal might be the obvious choice to become the backup opener, and he also stated that Sai Sudharsan can be an option as he has been doing well and has good technique for the ODI format.
Jaffer said, "Yashasvi Jaiswal, for sure. Sai Sudharsan, I feel, could do a fine job too. He has the technique for 50-over cricket, rotates the strike well, and plays very orthodox cricket. Shubman Gill is already there, and Ruturaj Gaikwad is another who plays in that mould."
"In 50-over cricket, you need that strike rotation. We see how Virat Kohli does it: he rotates the strike and plays very orthodox cricket. That is what you need in 50-over cricket, and I feel these names are better equipped to succeed."
