(Source X)
Harbhajan Singh has strongly criticized the selectors for omitting Yuzvendra Chahal, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson from India’s squads for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Chahal and Sharma were overlooked entirely, while Samson secured a place only in the T20I squad.
India is scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs against Sri Lanka as they enter a transitional phase. The new head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selectors are focused on constructing a team for the future cycle.
Harbhajan Singh criticizes selectors for ignoring these players.
Following the squad announcements for India’s upcoming tour, Harbhajan Singh expressed his surprise at the omission of Yuzvendra Chahal and Abhishek Sharma. The veteran offspinner also advocated for Sanju Samson’s inclusion in India’s ODI team, although the promising batsman was selected only for the T20I squad.
“Hard to understand why @yuzi_chahal @IamAbhiSharma4 @IamSanjuSamson are not part of the Indian Team for Sri Lanka 🙄,” Harbhajan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson were in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s absence from the T20I team came as a surprising turn of events. Despite being part of India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad, he did not get a chance to play, with Kuldeep Yadav preferred over him as the left-arm wristspinner.
With Kuldeep absent from the T20I squad for the Sri Lanka tour, many expected Chahal to have an opportunity to reclaim his spot. However, India opted for fellow legspinner Ravi Bishnoi instead of Chahal.
Chahal showcased his prowess during IPL 2024, where he snared 18 wickets in 15 matches, emerging as the second-highest wicket-taker for Rajasthan Royals and earning his spot in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma made headlines by scoring his maiden century in only his second T20I during the Zimbabwe tour. Despite occasional inconsistency, Sharma’s aggressive batting style, marked by quick runs and towering sixes, made a strong case for his selection.
However, despite a stellar IPL 2024 campaign where he amassed 484 runs at an impressive strike rate of 204.21, Abhishek was left out of both squads for the Sri Lanka tour.
Sanju Samson, known for his talent as a wicketkeeper-batter, has been included solely in India’s T20I squad. Like Chahal, Samson was part of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 squad but did not see action, serving as backup to Rishabh Pant.
Once again, Samson finds himself as the secondary wicketkeeper behind Pant in the T20I squad for the Sri Lanka tour.
The tour will commence with the T20I series starting on June 27 at Pallekele, followed by the ODI series in Colombo beginning on August 2.
