Sanju Samson's Stellar IPL Performance Sparks ODI Selection Hopes
Sanju Samson in the Spotlight
Sanju Samson is currently making headlines in the cricketing world. Despite the ups and downs of this year's IPL season with Chennai Super Kings, he has firmly established his claim by scoring two centuries. While he has been representing India in T20 internationals, there are indications that he may soon be included in another format.
Two Centuries in IPL
In this year's IPL, Samson stands out as the only player to have scored two centuries. Both matches in which he achieved this feat resulted in victories for his team. Prior to this, his performances in the last three matches of the T20 World Cup 2026 were unforgettable. Although he didn't score centuries in the knockout match against the West Indies, the semi-final against England, and the final, his contributions were significant.
Potential ODI Opportunity for Samson
Given his impressive batting for both the Indian team and CSK, there is a strong possibility that Samson will be selected for the ODI squad soon. His last ODI appearance was in 2023, after which he has only played T20 internationals. With the ODI World Cup scheduled for 2027, preparations for the Indian team are expected to commence shortly.
Three ODIs Against Afghanistan
In June, the Afghanistan team will tour India for a series that includes one Test and three ODIs. The Test match is expected to be of little significance as it won't be part of the World Test Championship. However, the ODIs will be crucial, marking the beginning of India's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Therefore, the selection of the team will be critical.
Rishabh Pant's Form May Affect Team Selection
Currently, KL Rahul is handling the wicketkeeping duties for India in ODIs and performing well in the middle order. However, the BCCI should consider Sanju Samson as a backup keeper. Although Rishabh Pant is seen as the primary contender for this role, his poor form has opened the door for Samson as a viable alternative. It will be interesting to see which players are included when the Indian team is announced for the Afghanistan series.