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SA vs IND | Harbhajan Singh Thanks BCCI For Sanju Samson's Comeback

image-lpm8dd7qSanju Samson (Twitter)

Sanju Samson's much-awaited return to India colours after a prolonged absence is a "good news", reckons Harbhajan Singh, who stood pleased about the selection of the elegant right-hander for the forthcoming three-match ODI series during India's tour of South Africa. 

The Kerala stalwart was picked on Thursday (November 30) by the senior selection committee for the One-Day leg of the all-format trip to the rainbow nation in December-January, paving the way for his return after much-criticised snub endured by the 29-year-old for the Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup on Indian shores. 

Samson's remains a curious tale in terms of selection in the senior national side as the youngster was absent from the T20I side last year and played only ODIs at the height of the build-up towards men's T20 World Cup. Then, when the caravan for the World Cup 2023 picked up steam this season, he was left out of the One-Day side despite an encouraging record. 

However, there is no pattern here as Samson wasn't included in the side for the Asian Games T20I in China either despite playing the previous assignment of the format in August in Ireland. 


Harbhajan Singh Welcomes Sanju Samson's Return

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper and aggressor has since endured a disappointing run in the domestic season 2023-24 though his run for Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and Vijay Hazare Trophy List A matches. The series in South Africa is thus seen as a great opportunity for him to pull himself back into the reckoning. 

"There is Sanju Samson [in ODIs]. It's good news. Wicketkeeper batter because he is always the topic of why Samson is not getting picked. I am happy to see Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Rajat Patidar getting opportunities. Deepak Chahar has made his comeback," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

Harbhajan, however, expressed displeasure at the absence of rising young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for the ODI squad in South Africa. Part of the T20Is and Tests against the Proteas, the Mumbaikar will be missing the series in between to take part in an intra-squad red-ball game organised by BCCI to cater to the Test series preparations. 

"Let's talk about Yashasvi Jaiswal. He is not part of this team. I think he should be part of this team [ODIs] as well," he said. "[He's] A quality and tremendous player. The team is looking at him in Tests and T20Is but not in ODIs. There are a lot of flaws (in the selection process) that I can't fathom."