Follow UsSanju Samson has dropped down the hierarchy, as the Rajasthan Royals skipper was not considered for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, on October 4 (Saturday). The wicketkeeper batter, who has batted across positions for India, continued to stay away from the setup.
Instead, Dhruv Jurel was preferred as the second-choice wicketkeeper with KL Rahul as the first-choice in the ODI setup. India’s Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar opened up on why Samson wasn’t considered for the upcoming ODI assignment.
“It’s more (due to) position (that he’s not in the squad). I mean, Sanju Samson bats at the top of the order. I think when he got a hundred, I think he batted number three, if I’m not wrong. Jurel usually bats low down the order. KL bats there as well. You’ve seen how good a player Dhruv is,” he said in the press conference.
Ironically, however, Samson has barely batted at No.3 in ODIs, with ten of his ODI appearances coming in at No.5 and 6, where he’s amassed close to 250 runs, including a sizzling 86* on a slow wicket against South Africa.
“So again, you’re looking at spots. I don’t think there’s room at the top again. So we’re looking at guys who can fit in those spots. And obviously, Sanju at the moment in T20 cricket is batting there and we’re trying him there. But in one-day cricket, it’s a little bit different. So that’s basically the thought. It’s more the position than anything else," Agarkar added.
Jurel’s rapid rise over the last two years has seen him become India’s back-up wicketkeeper in Tests, and that rise has now continued in ODIs.