ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Sunil Gavaskar reveals why BCCI selectors picked Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson
Published - 19 Jan 2025, 05:57 PM | Updated - 19 Jan 2025, 05:58 PM
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Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has shared his thoughts on India’s decision to select Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the squads for both the ODI 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, including Mohammed Siraj’s snub, Shubman Gill’s elevation as vice-captain, and Sanju Samson’s exclusion for 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 took the harsh 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, having an average of 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 selecting Pant, who has proven ability to shift momentum in crucial matches. The reports claimed that the Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s refusal to play in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 played a key role in his ouster from the 2025 Champions Trophy squad.
However, the former Indian captain felt it was the strategic decision to go ahead with Rishabh Pant over Samson. Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out that Rishabh Pant’s left-handed batting and exceptional wicketkeeping skills are the main reasons behind the selectors’ decision to leave Sanju Samson out for the upcoming prestigious tournament.
Sanju Samson must not feel dejected: Sunil Gavaskar
However, the legendary Indian cricketer acknowledged Samson’s achievements and said that he has the sympathy of the whole nation for his snub, but he advised the talented wicketkeeper-batter to remain 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 been scoring hundreds and hundreds of runs. There is no excuse to leave him out. But he was pitted against Rishabh Pant, who we all know can be a game-changer. Plus, Rishabh Pant is a left-hander, and he is probably the better wicketkeeper, although he might not be the better batter than Samson. Pant can change the game perhaps a little more than Samson and that’s reason why Samson missed out. But Samson must not feel dejected because all Indian cricket lovers will have sympathy for him for what he has achieved.”
Shashi Tharoor slams KCA for fake allegations against Sanju Samson
Recently, Kerala politician Shashi Tharoor has lashed out at the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for their fake allegations over Samson’s refusal to play in the preparatory camp for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.
Notably, KCA reportedly said that they dropped Sanju from the VHT squad because of his refusal to attend the camp and this eventually led the Indian cricketer to lose his place in the Indian cricket team for the upcoming event.
Shashi Tharoor posted on X: “The sorry saga of the Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson -- the player wrote to KCA, in advance, regretting his inability to attend a training camp between the SMA and the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments, and was promptly dropped from the squad -- has now resulted in Sanju's exclusion from the Indian team.
A batsman who has the highest score of 212* in the Hazare, who averages 56.66 in ODIs for India (including a century in his last outing, against South Africa) is having his career destroyed by the egos of cricket administrators. Doesn't it bother the KCA bosses that by leaving Sanju out, they ensured Kerala didn't even reach the quarter-finals of the Hazare? Where does this leave him?”
The sorry saga of the Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson -- the player wrote to KCA, in advance, regretting his inability to attend a training camp between the SMA and the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments, and was promptly dropped from the squad -- has now resulted in…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 18, 2025
