Sanju Samson to make mass entry to ODI team? Malayali cricketer likely to be included in Indian team for ODI series against England

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After years of waiting, Malayali cricketer Sanju Samson has finally cemented his place as a regular member of the Indian cricket team. With Gautam Gambhir taking over as coach and Suryakumar Yadav assuming the role of T20 captain, Sanju's prospects have improved. Following Rohit Sharma's retirement after the T20I World Cup victory, Sanju has taken on the role of a dynamic opener, delivering aggressive starts for the team in the T20I format.

The Thiruvananthapuram native solidified his spot in the T20 team by scoring three centuries in his last five T20I matches. Reports suggest that he might soon receive a call-up to the ODI team as well. In his last ODI appearance, Sanju scored a century against South Africa, making a strong case for inclusion. He is also seen as a potential backup wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy squad, possibly replacing Rishabh Pant.

KL Rahul remains India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for ODIs. However, reports indicate that Rahul has requested rest for the ODI matches during England’s tour of India before the Champions Trophy. If this happens, Sanju is likely to be included in the squad. Former players have also suggested that Sanju’s aggressive batting style in T20s could make him an ideal finisher for the ODI team.

Suryakumar Yadav, who was part of India’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad, is unlikely to be considered for future ODI squads. At 34, the selectors don’t see a long-term future in him. This gives Sanju, who is younger and has age on his side, a significant advantage. Another factor working in Sanju’s favour is the absence of a BCCI central contract for Ishan Kishan, another wicketkeeping contender. If Sanju is included in the England series, he is expected to secure a spot in the Champions Trophy squad as well.