India's ODI squad for the upcoming tour of Australia has drawn mixed reactions, with former cricketer Mohammad Kaif questioning the exclusion of Sanju Samson.
The 44-year-old believes Samson's power-hitting and experience in overseas conditions would have made him a stronger pick for the middle order than Dhruv Jurel, who earned a call-up as a wicketkeeper-batter for the three-match ODI series starting October 19 in Perth.
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Kaif says Sanju Samson suits the middle-order role better than Dhruv Jurel
Kaif acknowledged Jurel's promising start to international cricket but felt Samson's proven ability at No. 5 or 6 would have added more balance to the squad.
"Dhruv Jurel played really well when he scored that century against West Indies. He is compact, organized, and definitely the future of Indian cricket. But leaving out Sanju Samson was a wrong decision. He usually plays in the lower order and is a much better option for that position," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Jurel has been part of India's Test setup and was rewarded with an ODI call-up. However, KL Rahul is expected to take up wicket-keeping during the series, with Samson likely to re-join for the T20Is later this month.
Sanju Samson's six-hitting power is ideal for Australian conditions, feels Kaif
Kaif pointed out that Samson's ability to clear the ropes against spin could have been crucial in Australia's larger venues.
"At that spot, you need someone who can hit sixes, especially against spinners. We saw Sanju's strength in the Asia Cup. He is among the top 10 IPL players for most sixes and fits perfectly at No. 5 or 6 in Australian conditions," he said.
The former Indian batter added that selectors should look beyond short-term form when finalizing squads.
"Right now, we tend to focus only on recent performances and overlook players like Sanju, who have been consistently delivering," he added.
When does the India vs Australia 2025 series start?
The three-match ODI series between India and Australia begins on October 19, followed by five T20Is from October 29.
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