Credit: BCCI
India’s limited overs tour of Australia, scheduled to kick-off in late October this year, marks their first 50-over assignment since the ICC Champions Trophy win earlier this year. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, absent from the game since IPL 2025 are slated for a comeback. However, the absence of Rishabh Pant from the game due to an injury will force selectors to give a thought for solving the wicketkeeping conundrum into a squad eyeing a clean sweep on foreign soil. It is said that KL Rahul is locked in as the first-choice. However, the selectors might look into selecting a reliable deputy considering the tour’s schedule.
With Rishabh Pant sidelined by a foot fracture Sanju Samson is poised for a timely return to India's ODI fold, emerging as the frontrunner for the backup wicketkeeper spot during the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. The report by PTI underscores a pivotal moment for Samson, who has hovered on the fringes of the white-ball setup despite a career ODI average north of 56. “Sanju's consistency in limited-overs cricket, both with bat and gloves, makes him the ideal backup,” a senior selector reportedly told anonymously. His ODI ledger, though modest in volume with just 16 caps, gleams at 510 runs at a strike rate of 99.61, including a maiden ton (108 not out) against South Africa in Paarl in December 2023.
Sanju Samson is among the top 5 in highest batting averages in ODIs since January 2022
Since January 2022, Sanju Samson is among the top 5 run-scorers in highest batting averages since January 2022, in a listing criteria of minimum ten innings. His last ODI appearance came in that very series where he scored his maiden hundred in 2023 against South Africa. Samson is unlikely to displace Rahul in the XI but offers batting firepower at No. 5 or 6, a slot where India has experimented amid Shreyas Iyer's form and Hardik Pandya's injury clouds. Pandya, returning from a niggle, will be monitored closely, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube as all-rounder backups. The top order, meanwhile, promises fireworks with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opening, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma reportedly vying for the third opener's berth.
As India chases momentum ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027, Samson's inclusion signals a nod to balance, rewarding form without upending the core. The series opener in Perth on October 19 could see him warm the bench, but one injury, one tactical tweak can possibly lead to Sanju Samson playing the 50-over format again.
