Gautam Gambhir blasted as Dodda Ganesh calls Shivam Dube's ODI selection over Sanju Samson 'ridiculous'

The India squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka was announced on Thursday (July 18). Team India are scheduled to play three T20Is and as many ODIs against Sri Lanka.

The selectors have dropped a number of surprises in both the squads and one of them is the absence of Sanju Samson in the ODI squad. While the wicketkeeper-batsman has managed to retain his spot in the T20I side, he has failed to make the cut for the 50-over format.

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant have been picked as the two wicketkeepers in the ODI team while the selectors have also recalled Shivam Dube in Hardik Pandya's absence. The selectors have given maiden call-ups to Riyan Parag and Harshit Rana as well but there was no place for Sanju Samson in the ODI team.

Dodda Ganesh slams selectors for dropping Sanju Samson:

The decision has raised a number of eyebrows because the Kerala star has faced setbacks even after doing well in the limited opportunities that he has got. He had scored a brilliant century against South Africa in December last year which was India's last ODI.

And as Samson failed to find a place in the ODI team, former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh has slammed the decision from the selectors. Taking to X, Ganesh questioned Dube's selection over Samson in the ODI team and called it ridiculous. He also highlighted that Samson had scored a century in his last ODI appearance as he wrote:

"Shivam Dube in place of Sanju Samson in the ODIs is ridiculous. Poor Sanju scored a century in his last series against SA. Why him always? My heart goes out to this young man #SLvIND

Shivam Dube in place of Sanju Samson in the ODIs is ridiculous. Poor Sanju scored a century in his last series against SA. Why him always? My heart goes out to this young man #SLvIND

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) July 18, 2024

Meanwhile, the T20I series will kickstart India's tour of Sri Lanka this month. The T20I series will get underway on July 27 with all the games taking place in Pallekele. On the other hand, the ODI series will be played in Colombo from August 2-7.

Rohit Sharma will be leading the Indian team in the ODI series while Suryakumar Yadav will be the captain of the T20I side.