Sanju Samson dropped, Jurel in: Analysing India's surprising selection call for AUS ODIs

Sanju Samson has been left out of IND's ODI squad [Source: AFP]

In a major development, the BCCI unveiled India's formidable squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. While Shubman Gill was formally announced as India's ODI captain, swashbuckling keeper-batter Sanju Samson was left out of the team. Although several reports claimed that Samson would be India's alternative wicketkeeper, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee surprised everyone by picking Dhruv Jurel in the ODI side. 

Sanju Samson vs Dhruv Jurel: Who has done better in 50-over cricket?

Sanju Samson has played 16 ODIs for India, scoring 510 runs at a magnificent average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 99.60. On the contrary, Dhruv Jurel hasn't played a single ODI despite being a regular in India's Test setup. 

Meanwhile, below we attach the numbers of Samson and Jurel in List-A cricket. 

(Samson and Jurel's stats in List-A cricket)

The aforementioned stats suggest that Sanju Samson has played a lot more matches than Dhruv Jurel in List-A format. However, the latter has averaged 47.25 as compared to just 33.85 by Samson. That said, it's a fact that Jurel's sample size is very small, comprising just ten matches. So, it doesn't give him a clear edge over Samson to get into the Indian ODI squad for the Australia tour. 

Possible reasons that prompted India to pick Jurel over Samson

Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are India's first-choice wicketkeepers

• While KL Rahul is India's established number five and wicketkeeper batter, the Men in Blue picked Rishabh Pant as his backup for the Champions Trophy. 
• With Pant missing out on selection due to a foot injury, the BCCI selection committee added Jurel to the team as Rahul's backup so that it will be a comparatively easier decision for them to do the reverse when the southpaw recovers. 
• It also gives Jurel a chance to groom himself as an ODI player, having showcased his potential in List-A cricket. 

Samson is strictly in India's T20I plans

• Sanju Samson has been one of the regular members of the Indian T20I side. He recently played the Asia Cup, playing a pivotal role in India's victory with several useful knocks. 
• So, by ignoring Samson for the ODIs and picking him for T20Is, the selectors have made it clear that they have adopted the 'horses for courses' approach with regard to Samson. He is definitely in India's T20 World Cup plans and will represent them in next year's World Cup. 

Is Sanju Samson's ODI snub justified?

It actually seems quite harsh for Sanju Samson, who has unfortunately lost his place to Jurel, a player with barely 10 List-A matches. It's true that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are India's first-choice wicketkeepers, and India didn't want to make things complicated for themselves by bringing Samson into the scheme of things. But considering his stature and past ODI record, it's actually unfair for someone of Samson's calibre to make way for Jurel at this stage of his career. 

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