Aakash Chopra Expresses Surprise Over Treatment Meted Out To Sanju Samson

Former India batsman Aakash Chopra has expressed his surprise over Sanju Samson not being named in India’s squad for the Asian Games. The right-handed batsman’s career in international cricket seems to have completely fallen off the track with the latest setbacks he has received.

There were some promising signs for him in recent months as the selectors and the team management gave him constant chances in the limited-overs sides. However, things have only gone downhill since he failed to do well in the five-match T20I series against West Indies.

Soon after the tour ended, he failed to make the cut for Asia Cup 2023 although he traveled to Sri Lanka as a backup. He was also not named in India’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. Prior to that, Sanju Samson was also not included in the squad for the Asian Games. At that time, it was believed that the selectors did not include him in the team because of other assignments.

However, Sanju Samson suffered a heartbreaking blow earlier this week when he was not named in the India squad for the upcoming three-match series against Australia. Despite a number of key players being rested for the first two games, there was no place in the team for the wicketkeeper-batsman.

Aakash Chopra on Sanju Samson’s condition:

Many believe that the selectors have made it clear that they want to move on from Sanju Samson by taking the latest call. And Aakash Chopra has also echoed the same sentiments. During a discussion on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-commentator opened up on the out-of-favor batsman’s condition.

“I am surprised and worried because Sanju Samson is not in the Asian Games team. He was in the Asia Cup [as a reserve], but now he is not in the team for the series against Australia as well.

“What I feel now is that Ishan Kishan won’t be seen opening. Shubman Gill will open with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ishan Kishan will play in the middle order and the management will give him enough chances so that he can cement his place there,” said Aakash Chopra.

“I feel Sanju Samson’s name should be there in the Asian Games squad. Let him play somewhere. He can’t come into the World Cup squad, but to think that he is not good enough to play the Asian Games, that’s not right. He came very close to making the World Cup squad, so he definitely should have been in the Asian Games team. In fact, he could have been the captain as well,” Aakash Chopra added.

Sanju Samson’s international career is yet to take over. While he made his India debut way back in 2015, he is yet to cement his spot in the team. He has played only 13 ODIs so far and has scored 390 runs at an average of 55.71, with three half-centuries.