AB de Villiers Responds to Sanju Samson’s Omission from India’s ODI Squad for England Series
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A Major Selection Dilemma
The announcement of India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England has ignited a firestorm of debate across the cricketing fraternity. While team selections often lead to various viewpoints, the absence of Sanju Samson has become the primary talking point among fans and analysts alike. Given his prolific run of form over the past several months, many expected him to be a shoo-in for the ODI setup.
AB de Villiers Weighs In
Sanju Samson. (Credits: X.com)
Former South African batting maestro AB de Villiers has provided his expert perspective on the matter. Speaking via his popular YouTube channel, the legendary cricketer admitted that he believed Samson had come remarkably close to earning his spot. In his analysis of India’s current wicketkeeping depth, De Villiers noted that the right-hander’s recent performances had essentially forced his name into the conversation for a potential return to the 50-over format.
The Selection Logic
The Indian selectors opted for Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul as the designated wicketkeeper-batters for the England series, effectively excluding both Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant. While De Villiers did not explicitly describe the decision as a massive shock, he emphasized that Samson had built a compelling case for himself through consistent brilliance in both domestic franchise cricket and international outings.
De Villiers remarked: “Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul are the two top wicket-keepers. The big thing there is no Pant, no Samson. Samson must have been close, closer than Pant, as he had a really good IPL but also prior to that, showing signs of form. Not a lot of surprises there but just for Samson, I feel he was close.”
Why Samson’s Omission Stings
The sentiment expressed by De Villiers is widely shared by observers who have tracked Samson’s recent trajectory. The 31-year-old’s 2026 IPL campaign, following his move to the Chennai Super Kings, was nothing short of spectacular. He amassed 477 runs across 14 matches, maintaining a solid average of 43.36 and a blistering strike rate of 165.62. More importantly, he notched two centuries and played several match-winning knocks that underscored his growth as a finisher and anchor.
His momentum did not stop there. During the 2026 T20 World Cup, Samson elevated his game to new heights, accumulating 321 runs in just five matches. With an astonishing average of 80.25 and a strike rate near the 200 mark, he proved he could thrive under the immense pressure of a global tournament. Recording three half-centuries in that short span solidified his status as one of India’s most reliable middle-order assets.
The Road Ahead for Samson
Despite these staggering statistics, the selectors decided to move in a different direction for the England series. This decision has naturally created a divide in the cricket community, with many supporters feeling that Samson’s current output warranted a place in the squad. For now, the stylish batter remains on the outside looking in, but his recent consistency suggests that he is not going anywhere.
The path forward for Samson is clear: he must continue to let his bat do the talking. By maintaining this level of performance in future domestic and international opportunities, he remains in a position to make the selectors’ task nearly impossible during the next squad rotation. Whether he returns to the ODI side soon remains to be seen, but as AB de Villiers pointed out, the talent is undeniable and the hunger for runs is evident. Cricket fans will certainly be keeping a close eye on his next moves as the international calendar progresses.
