Selector Srikkanth Slams Inconsistent Team Selections, Calls Out Exclusion of Sanju Samson

In a scathing critique, former India selector and batter Kris Srikkanth has lambasted the current chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, for excluding Sanju Samson from the ODI squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Srikkanth believes this is yet another example of the selectors changing their ways for different individuals, which he says is 'confusing the players'.

Samson, who last played an ODI in 2023, was performing well in the format at the time, averaging over 50. However, the Rahul Dravid-Rohit Sharma regime chose Suryakumar Yadav for the lower-order batter's role, a decision that backfired in the 2023 World Cup. India later found a solution by pushing KL Rahul down the order and surrounding him with all-rounders, helping them win the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Now, with Rishabh Pant injured, the selectors have opted to include Dhruv Jurel, who is yet to make his ODI debut, instead of the experienced Samson. Srikkanth has strongly criticized this move, saying Samson should have been the first choice given his recent form and experience.

"By making such selections constantly, they are confusing the players themselves. Even though we aren't sure every day what the selection will be. Suddenly, Yashasvi Jaiswal is there, and then the next minute, he won't be there. By chopping and changing all the time, they'll dent the confidence of the players," Srikkanth said.