Harbhajan Singh Delighted With Sanju Samson's Inclusion In ODI Team

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has called Sanju Samson’s selection in India’s ODI squad ‘good news’. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been picked in the 15-member squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Team India are scheduled to visit South Africa later this month for three T20Is, three ODIs, and as many Tests. The squad for the tour was announced by the BCCI on Thursday (November 30). While Sanju Samson could not make it to the T20I squad, he was named to the ODI team. It would be a big boost for his confidence after a string of setbacks in recent times.

The Kerala star was a regular in India’s T20I and ODI squads not very long ago but seemingly fell out of favor just before the Asia Cup. He failed to make the cut for the continental championship as well as the World Cup. There was also no place for him in the ODI squad when India played a three-match series against Australia just before the World Cup.

The selectors did not name him in the squad for the Asian Games either where Ruturaj Gaikwad led a second-string Indian team. Sanju Samson was expected to be named in India’s second-string side for the ongoing T20I series against Australia but the selectors decided against it.

Harbhajan Singh on Sanju Samson’s selection:

Harbhajan Singh has said he is delighted to see Sanju Samson’s return in the ODI team. The India great also stated that he was excited to see the likes of Samson, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, and Deepak Chahar in the 50-over format.

“There is Sanju Samson [in ODIs]. It’s good news. Wicketkeeper batter because he is always the topic of why Samson is not getting picked. I am happy to see Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Rajat Patidar getting opportunities. Deepak Chahar has made his comeback,” said Harbhajan Singh in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

Sanju Samson’s last ODI appearance came in August this year during the tour of West Indies. The right-handed batsman is yet to cement his spot in the ODI team and a good performance in the challenging conditions of South Africa could transform his career.

India’s squad for 3 ODIs:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (c/wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, and Deepak Chahar.

IND vs SA ODIs schedule:

December 17: 1st ODI, Johannesburg

December 19: 2nd ODI, Gqeberha

December 21: 3rd ODI, Paarl