New Delhi: India’s star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will miss the upcoming ODI series against Australia, scheduled to start on October 19, raising speculation about Sanju Samson stepping in as his replacement. According to The Times of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) coordinated with Pant during the England Test series, deciding to rest him in view of his workload and fitness.
Pant is expected to return for the Test series against South Africa following the conclusion of the ODIs and T20 matches against Australia. In the interim, fans and cricket analysts are closely watching whether Sanju Samson will reclaim a spot in the squad.
Sanju, who has proven his versatility across batting positions, emerged as one of the top performers in the recent Asia Cup, scoring 132 runs in four innings. Despite adjusting to unfamiliar batting roles moving from his comfortable opening and one-down positions to the middle order he managed to rank among the tournament’s top ten run-scorers, showcasing his adaptability and temperament under pressure.
Beyond the Asia Cup, Sanju’s ODI credentials are strong. His last appearance came in 2023 against South Africa, where he scored a memorable century. In 16 ODI matches for India, he has accumulated 510 runs, including three half-centuries and a century, boasting an impressive average of 57. His consistent performances make him a logical contender to fill the void left by Pant’s absence.
If selected, Sanju is likely to share wicketkeeping responsibilities with KL Rahul, India’s current first-choice ODI wicketkeeper. This dual-wicketkeeper strategy could provide depth to India’s batting and enhance flexibility in the fielding department, especially against a formidable Australian lineup.
With Pant sidelined, all eyes will be on Samson to rise to the occasion and deliver performances that could cement his place in the squad for the remainder of the series. Fans across the country are eager to see whether his return will reinforce India’s middle order and provide the stability the team needs heading into a challenging Australia tour.