New Delhi: Sanju Samson reportedly might not make the cut in India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 which is set to get underway on February 20. India will play all their matches in Dubai in the multi-nation tournament while the rest of the teams will play their matches in the host nation Pakistan.
India are yet to announce their squad for the tournament and are facing a selection conundrum as far as the wicket-keeper’s spot is concerned. However, as per a report in the news agency PTI, Rishabh Pant will be the frontrunner to be the first-choice wicket-keeper for the Indian team in the Champions Trophy while KL Rahul is likely to be included as a pure middle-order batter.
The report further claimed that Samson has fallen behind in the pecking order and might not make it to the squad. Pant, who made an emphatic comeback after a long spell on the sidelines last year, was India’s first-choice wicket-keeper in the T20 World Cup 2024 ahead of Samson and helped the team lift the elusive trophy.
Samson didn’t take part in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Kerala which could be one of the reasons behind his exclusion from India’s squad for the Champions Trophy. Samson will be in a three-way battle with Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel for the backup wicket-keeper’s slot for the Champions Trophy with Rahul playing as a batter.
As per the report, Jurel might pip Samson for the backup wicket-keeper’s slot as BCCI can keep the youngster as Pant’s understudy in both Tests and ODIs. Samson is likely to be preferred in T20Is and has been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England at home. Kishan’s chances look slim considering his average returns in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
India to announce Champions Trophy squad after Vijay Hazare Trophy final
As per PTI, India are likely to announce their squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 after the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy which will be played on Saturday, January 18. January 12 was the deadline for all eight teams to reveal their preliminary squads for the Champions Trophy but BCCI sought an extension from the ICC citing a gruelling tour of Australia which concluded recently.
Sanju Samson is unlikely to make the cut in India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul ahead of him in the pecking order. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
