IND vs SA: Aakash Chopra Feels Sanju Samson Is Picked Only In Unimportant Formats

Aakash Chopra presented his observations on Sanju Samson’s selection in the Indian team and observed that he is generally picked in the Indian squad in a format that does not have any short-term importance.

The Men in Blue is facing South Africa in a three-match ODI series, with the first game being played in Johannesburg. Sanju Samson is one of two wicketkeeper-batters in the Indian squad, with skipper KL Rahul being the other one.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra opined that Shreyas Iyer and Rinku Singh should be a part of India’s playing XI for the first ODI. However, he was a bit unsure about Samson getting a chance, saying:

“Shreyas Iyer will play this match. Rinku Singh will definitely play. I don’t know how many opportunities Samson will get but he should get. Somehow Indian cricket picks Samson in a format that is not very important that year. Now ODIs are not important, so you will find Sanju Samson’s name there.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator was also uncertain about Ruturaj Gaikwad’s partner at the top of the order. He elaborated, “They usually have a line of openers and here you are not finding many. KL Rahul plays as a middle-order wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs. Who will open? Who along with Ruturaj Gaikwad? Rajat Patidar or Sai Sudharsan, or will you get Tilak Varma to open, or Shreyas Iyer or Rahul?”

Aakash Chopra Predicts Sai Sudharsan As India’s Opener In The First ODI

Aakash Chopra opined that either Sai Sudharsan or Rajat Patidar could be Ruturaj’s opening partner with the usual openers unavailable for the series. He stated, “Yashasvi (Jaiswal), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan – none of these names are there in this team. Since someone has to open, they will get it done with whoever they wish. Either Sai Sudharsan or Rajat Patidar might be that opener. I have got no idea because no one has said anything.”

The Indian team management went with Sudharsan as Gaikwad’s opening partner to have a left-right combination. However, the team’s sheet mentions KL Rahul’s name at the top which means that he can also open the innings. The Indian Team would never even consider opening with either Tilak Varma or Sanju Samson if they want to accommodate both of them in the XI.

While predicting that Axar Patel will be in the playing XI, Aakash Chopra wasn’t sure whether the Kul-Cha duo would play. He said, “Yuzi and Kuldeep are both available but will both of them play together – I am not so sure. Axar will definitely play because he is now a part of ODIs but wasn’t in T20Is because Ravindra Jadeja was the vice-captain there.”

Aakash Chopra’s prediction of Rinku Singh playing went the other way as he was not included in the Playing XI for India’s first ODI. However, Sai Sudharsan received his debut cap and will either bat at no.3 or will open the innings for India. Axar Patel is also named in the XI with Kuldeep Yadav. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma will handle the responsibility in the middle-order with Shreyas Iyer.