Everyone was surprised when the BCCI selectors decided to go with Dhruv Jurel in the absence of Rishabh Pant, who injured his foot during the Test series against England in the UK. He would need a few more weeks to recover from the injury before the home Test series against South Africa later in November. 

Samson has smashed 510 runs in 14 ODI innings at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of nearly 100 with three fifties and one century, while on the other hand, Jurel has cracked 189 runs in 10 List A clashes with two fifties. The former Indian opener, Kris Srikkanth, has questioned the BCCI selectors.

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“Again, very unfair. Sanju should have been there, considering he scored a century in his last ODI. So every day, the reason keeps changing for each individual. One day you make him bat at 5, then another day you make him open. Sometimes you send him at 7 or 8. How did Dhruv Jurel suddenly come in? Sanju may or may not feature in the 11, but he has to be given the first right of refusal.” Srikkanth expressed during an interaction on his YouTube channel.

Kris Srikkanth slams selectors for Sanju Samson’s ODI snub from Australia trip

India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, revealed that the batting position of Samson and Jurel is the main reason for their decision. The selectors wanted someone who could bat in a position similar to Rahul in the ODIs.

“It’s more (due to) position (that he’s not in the squad). I mean, Sanju Samson bats at the top of the order. I think when he got a hundred, I think he batted number three, if I’m not wrong. Jurel usually bats low down the order. KL bats there as well. You’ve seen how good a player Dhruv is. So again, you’re looking at spots. I don’t think there’s room at the top again. So we’re looking at guys who can fit in those spots.” The former all-rounder addressed.

“And obviously, Sanju at the moment in T20 cricket is batting there, and we’re trying him there. But in one-day cricket, it’s a little bit different. So that’s basically the thought. It’s more the position than anything else.” Ajit Agarkar excluded.