India vs Australia: 'Very disappointed', Irfan Pathan on Sanju Samson's omission from ODI series

Sanju Samson was once again overlooked as the BCCI announced the India squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. Reacting to the Kerala batter’s exclusion, former India cricketer Irfan Pathan said that he would be “very disappointed” had he been in Sanju Samson’s place. A string of poor performances in the limited-overs series against West Indies in August meant Samson had to fight for his place in the playing XI. He was named as a reserve player for India’s successful Asia Cup campaign recently, but failed to get a game. Samson last played in the T20I series against Ireland in August, where he scored 41 runs from two matches. “If I’m in place of @IamSanjuSamson right now I will be very disappointed…,” wrote Pathan on social media platform X (Formerly Twitter).

If I’m in place of @IamSanjuSamson right now I will be very disappointed…

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 18, 2023

Samson has scored 390 runs from 13 ODIs at an average of 55.71. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested for the first two ODIs against Australia, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma have been given the nod. Rohit and Kohli will return for the third ODI on 27 September. Also featuring in the squad are all-rounders Washington Sundar and R Ashwin, who come in place of Kuldeep Yadav and the injured Axar Patel. The first ODI between India and Australia will be played in Mohali on 22 September.