SA vs IND 2023: Indian cricket picks Samson in a format that is not very important that year – Aakash Chopra

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra feels selectors pick Sanju Samson in a format that is not very important in a particular year. Samson is part of India’s three-match ODI series against South Africa and the renowned commentator believes he should be part of the playing XI.

Samson was not picked in the ODI World Cup squad but was added to the squad for the South Africa tour. The right-hander has scored 390 runs in 13 ODIs at an impressive average of 55.71 but has received limited opportunities.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Shreyas Iyer will play this match. Rinku Singh will definitely play. I don’t know how many opportunities Samson will get but he should get. Somehow Indian cricket picks Samson in a format that is not very important that year. Now ODIs are not important, so you will find Sanju Samson’s name there.”

Chopra added India currently has bereft of openers in the current squad for South Africa ODIs, which is not usually the case.

“They usually have a line of openers and here you are not finding many. KL Rahul plays as a middle-order wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs. Who will open? Who along with Ruturaj Gaikwad? Rajat Patidar or Sai Sudharsan, or will you get Tilak Varma to open, or Shreyas Iyer or Rahul?”

The reputed commentator reckons either Sai Sudharsan or Rajat Patidar can open the innings with Ruturaj Gaikwad.

“Yashasvi (Jaiswal), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan – none of these names are there in this team. Since someone has to open, they will get it done with whoever they wish. Either Sai Sudharsan or Rajat Patidar might be that opener. I have got no idea because no one has said anything.”

Chopra feels either Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal will play but Axar Patel will certainly be part of the final XI.

“Yuzi and Kuldeep are both available but will both of them play together – I am not so sure. Axar will definitely play because he is now a part of ODIs but wasn’t in T20Is because Ravindra Jadeja was the vice-captain there.”

The first ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Sunday.