Aakash Chopra defends Sanju Samson amid ODI squad exclusion
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 18, 2026, 2:50 PM
Last updated Oct 18, 2026
Aakash Chopra has openly criticized the exclusion of Sanju Samson from India's ODI squad ahead of the New Zealand series. Despite Samson's impressive ODI stats, he was not selected, which Chopra suggests may indicate selectors' long-term decisions regarding his future. The analysis highlights Samson's strong recent performances in T20Is, where he has outperformed fellow wicketkeeper-batters like Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma over their last 20 innings. Chopra's defense comes as debates around his role intensify, especially after Samson's contributions in recent series against West Indies and Afghanistan.
- •Samson scored 510 runs in 14 ODI innings at an average of 56.67.
- •Chopra compares Samson's T20I performance favorably to Kishan and Sharma.
- •Samson was omitted for the final two ODIs against New Zealand.
- •Chopra indicates selectors may have predetermined decisions regarding Samson's role.
- •Debate around Samson's place in the team has intensified on social media.
- 2:50 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Lifetime subscription to pressure’: Ex-India cricketer’s blunt defence of Sanju Samson
"Aakash Chopra has raised concerns about Sanju Samson's continued exclusion from the ODI squad. Despite impressive ODI statistics, Samson was overlooked for the New Zealand series. Chopra highlighted that multiple other wicketkeeper-batters were not selected either, indicating a possible decision on Samson's future. He compared performance metrics between Samson and other T20I players to support his point. This scrutiny comes as discussions around Samson's place in the team continue.
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