Sanju Samson has recently exhibited remarkable performance in white-ball cricket; however, he may not secure a position in the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy, as suggested by former spinner Harbhajan Singh. In his latest international outings, specifically in T20Is, Samson achieved an impressive three centuries in his last five innings.

This outstanding form has sparked a strong demand for his inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad, despite the fact that his last appearance in a 50-over match was in December 2023. Harbhajan had previously indicated that he would include the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter in his selection for the Champions Trophy, but he has now expressed concerns that Samson might be overlooked due to his lack of participation in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.

“He has scored three centuries in his last five matches, and with an ODI average of approximately 56, I do not believe he is guaranteed a place in the team. I had included him in my selection for the Champions Trophy, but the opinions of the selectors and team management may differ,” Harbhajan stated on his YouTube channel.

“I believe he deserves a spot. When a player scores three centuries in five matches, it indicates that he is in a zone where he is unstoppable. He is in form and exuding confidence, having made two centuries in South Africa, which is a significant achievement when scoring away from home.”

Samson's absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy

Samson's limited international appearances can largely be attributed to the preference for other players over the years. However, Harbhajan noted that his absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy this time may be a contributing factor to his exclusion. Reports indicate that the Kerala Cricket Association removed Samson from the state squad after he communicated his unavailability for a preparatory camp prior to the tournament.

"We have observed that he does not receive many opportunities, but this time the circumstances may be different. It is possible that they will argue he has not participated in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This situation arose due to an issue between him and the Kerala Cricket Association, about which I am not well-informed. Consequently, there is a possibility that the selectors may choose not to include him.

"Nevertheless, I believe it is essential to thoroughly investigate the situation. Was it his own choice to abstain from participation, or were there external restrictions involved? All these factors should be taken into account before arriving at a decision," Harbhajan stated.

'Samson deserves to go based on his T20I performance'

Harbhajan highlighted that there have been several occasions in the past where players were chosen for a particular format based on their performance in another format.

“For instance, Rohit Sharma scored significant runs in ODI cricket, which ultimately led to his selection for the Test team. There is widespread belief that Yashasvi will be included in the ODI team, and I concur that he deserves that opportunity, as he is an exceptional player. However, if he is selected, it will be due to his impressive performance in the Tests against Australia. If Yashasvi can be included in the ODI squad after excelling in Test cricket, then why shouldn't Sanju be considered after his achievements in T20s?” Harbhajan remarked.

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