India’s Sanju Samson (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade) Sanju Samson’s timing could not have been better. With India’s ODI squad set to be picked on Saturday, the Kerala batsman produced a commanding century against Jharkhand and is firmly back in the selection conversation. Chasing a stiff target of 312, Samson led Kerala’s attack with a fluent hundred, anchoring a massive opening stand of 212 runs with skipper Rohan Kunnummal. Kunnummal was equally destructive, smashing 124 with eight fours and eleven sixes before falling, but by then the damage was done. Samson looked confident throughout, going through his shifts with clarity and purpose, exactly the kind of knock that voters usually notice on the eve of platoon meetings.
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The innings has added significance for Samson, who last played an ODI for India in 2023. Since then, he has remained on the sidelines despite scoring a memorable century against South Africa in South Africa. His ODI numbers make a strong case. In 16 matches, Samson has scored 510 runs from 14 innings at an impressive average of 56.67, which is 99.61. In contrast, it was a quieter outing for Ishan Kishan in the same match. Kishan, who recently forced his way back into India’s T20 World Cup plans thanks to strong domestic form and the outstanding Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, managed just 21 off 21 balls before being dismissed. During his ODI career, Kishan played 27 matches, scoring 933 runs at an average of 42.41 with a strike rate of 102, figures that still keep him firmly in the race. Elsewhere, Rishabh Pant reminded everyone of his white-ball value with a blistering unbeaten 72 off 45 balls for Delhi against Services. Pant’s innings ensured a comfortable chase of 178 and highlighted his ability to finish games under pressure. In 31 ODIs, Pant scored 871 runs at an average of 33.5 and a strike rate of 106, adding another strong performance to his case. With KL Rahul emerging as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs, the battle for the second spot is wide open. Samson’s century, Pant’s fluent knock, Kishan’s overall record and Dhruv Jurel waiting in the wings gave the selectors a lot to think about.
