NEW DELHI: The omission of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from India’s ICC Champions Trophy squad has raised eyebrows, with former cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressing his surprise over the decision.
Samson, who averages over 56 in ODIs, last played the format in December 2023 but has since been overlooked despite consistent performances.

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“Truly, I feel bad for him,” Harbhajan said in an interview with Switch. “Whenever he scored runs, he always went outside the team first. I understand you can only select 15, but the ODI format suits his batting. He has a 55-56 average, and he is not even included as a second wicketkeeper. If you want, you can create a place in the team.”
Selectors have chosen KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeping options for the tournament.

Harbhajan also criticised the exclusion of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, highlighting the lack of variation in India’s spin attack. “You’ve picked four spinners, two of them left-armers. You could’ve included a leg-spinner for variation. Chahal is a superb bowler. I don’t know what wrong he did that he doesn’t fit in this team.”
Further, Harbhajan raised questions about Yashasvi Jaiswal’s role in the playing XI, given Shubman Gill’s elevation to vice-captain. “I thought Yashasvi would open, but now I don’t feel that. Shubman Gill is the vice-captain, so he will play. Yashasvi won’t bat at three or four because Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will occupy those spots. Then how will Yashasvi play?”

India squad for ICC Champions Trophy