Gavaskar's Take on Samson's Omission
Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his thoughts on the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2024. Despite a stellar record and calls for his inclusion, Samson was left out of the 15-man squad, with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant being preferred as the designated wicketkeepers. The omission has led to widespread criticism from fans and experts alike.

Gavaskar's Sympathy for Samson
Gavaskar acknowledged how difficult the decision must have been for Samson, given his consistent performances with the bat. “Very tough because the man has been scoring hundreds and hundreds of runs. There is no excuse to leave him out,” Gavaskar said in an interview with India Today. He emphasized that Samson’s omission could be particularly disappointing for the player, given his track record.

Rishabh Pant's Advantage as a Wicketkeeper
Despite the controversy, Gavaskar provided insight into why Rishabh Pant was chosen over Samson. He stated that Pant's skills as a wicketkeeper, along with his ability to change the course of a match, likely played a crucial role in the selectors' decision. "Pant is probably the better wicketkeeper, although he might not be the better batter than Samson," Gavaskar explained. He also highlighted Pant’s left-handed batting as an additional tactical advantage.

Samson’s Remarkable ODI Record
Samson’s exclusion has been especially surprising considering his impressive performance in ODIs. Despite being in and out of the team, Samson boasts a strong record with 510 runs in just 16 ODIs, at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 99.60, including a century and three fifties. This remarkable achievement made his exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad all the more contentious.

Encouragement for Samson
While acknowledging the tough situation, Gavaskar urged Samson not to feel disheartened. He pointed out that Samson's achievements in ODIs have won him the admiration of Indian cricket fans. “Samson must not feel dejected because all Indian cricket lovers will have sympathy for him for what he has achieved,” he added.

India’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2024
India's squad for the 2024 Champions Trophy includes key players like Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah, with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul selected as wicketkeepers.