The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) on Sunday (January 12) announced a 16-member squad for India’s upcoming five-match T20 International series against New Zealand starting January 24.
Well, Indian national selectors announced the most expected set-up with Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Shami returning to the squad after much-needed rest for the Sri Lanka series at home.
The selectors retained Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini after the duo impressed against Sri Lanka along with the all-rounder Shivam Dube, thanks to Hardik Pandya’s longer rehabilitation.
Read Also: BCCI names Team India squad for the 5-match T20I series in New Zealand
While Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav were given the spin department for the New Zealand series.
Meanwhile, the national selectors decided to drop the wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson from the India squad which left the Kerala cricketer’s fans upset at the BCCI. Samson was given only game in the recent Pune T20I against Sri Lanka – where he played just 2 balls scoring a six – after more than 4 years of his India debut against Zimbabwe on 19 July 2015.
The 25-year-old right-hander has played only 2 matches for India in his start-stop international career so far. After the BCCI announced the squad on Sunday, the netizens are not really happy with Samson’s exclusion, as the fans severely criticizing the board and national selectors over the cricketer’s snub.
Have a look here how fans reacted at Sanju Samson’s exclusion:
