Ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, India will host Australia in a three-match ODI series, starting September 22.

On Monday (September 18), the BCCI men's selection committee announced India’s squad for the 50-over series against Australia and there was a notable omission in it.

Despite the absence of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the first two ODIs, Sanju Samson wasn’t considered for selection.

Instead, the selectors decided to pick Ruturaj Gaikwad as an extra opening batter while young Tilak Varma also featured in the side as one of the options in the middle-order.

The decision to overlook Samson surprised many fans and experts alike since the wicketkeeper averages over 50 in ODI cricket. In 13 ODIs so far, he has scored 390 runs at an average of 55.71 with three half-centuries.

Taking to social media platform X, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan wrote: “If I’m in place of @IamSanjuSamson right now I will be very disappointed…”

Ex-India opener Robin Uthappa also sympathized with Samson as he posted: “No one would wanna be in Sanju’s shoes right now!!”

Besides Rohit and Kohli, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav have been rested for the first and second ODI matches as well. In Rohit’s absence, KL Rahul will lead the side in the first two ODIs.

However, all the first-choice players will return to the side for the third ODI against Australia.

Mohali will host the ODI series opener between India and Australia. The action then moves to Indore where the second ODI will take place on September 24. Rajkot will stage the series finale on September 27.