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'India Picks Samson In A Format Not Very Important That Year': Aakash Chopra 

image-lq98mh5kSanju Samson (Twitter)

Aakash Chopra took a subtle dig at India's selection policy for elegant Kerala right-hander Sanju Samson, stating he is picked only for formats and assignments which are not so critical to Indian cricket's immediate fortunes

The former India opener based his remarks on Samson's return to the squad and the playing XI for the ODI series against South Africa, starting Sunday (December 17) in Johannesburg. 

After facing a persistent snub from the senior One-Day outfit leading into the 2023 World Cup 2023, Samson returned for the very first ODI series played after the quadrennial event in an Indian side missing multiple regular faces. 

The trend was quite similar last year when ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia, Samson was continuously picked for the 50-over assignments where the selectors basically trialled options with a long-term vision in place. 

Chopra Takes Dig At Selectors With Samson Reference 

The theme was only annulled by Samson's absence even from India's alternate T20I side picked for the Asian Games in China in September. The prodigiously talented right-hander, who recently struck a century during the Vijay Hazare Trophy List A competition, last played for India in August via the Ireland T20Is. 

Speaking about India's selection scheme ahead of the opening One-Dayer at the Wanderers Stadium on his YouTube channel, Chopra dug into the Samson puzzle and wondered what exactly has the plan been for an obviously talented cricketer. 

"I don't know how many opportunities Samson will get but he should get. Somehow Indian cricket picks Samson in a format which is not very important that year. Now ODIs are not important, so you will find Sanju Samson's name there," Chopra said. 

On his part, Samson has found a way to forge an impressive track record in ODIs despite irregular game time. Heading into the South Africa series, the middle-order batter averages 55.71 with a tremendous strike-rate of 104 from his 13 matches for India.