On India’s playing XI for the first ODI against the West Indies is an ex-India opener

Sanju Samson hasn’t played in an ODI for India since November of last year, when they visited New Zealand just after the T20 World Cup in Australia. This is despite the fact that they have played several bilateral series since then. Samson, who was chosen for the current West Indies tour’s white-ball leg, was once again passed over for the ODI series opener in Barbados earlier this week.

Ishan Kishan seems to have taken Rishabh Pant’s place as the backup wicketkeeper while KL Rahul, a part-time wicketkeeper, recovers.

Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian opener, claims that he believed Ishan was being considered as a backup opener as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are the preferred openers in ODIs and in that case, someone like Samson would be included in the playing XI in the middle order.

To give the white-ball specialists additional playing experience before the world cup in October-November, India changed their batting order for the first ODI. Ishan began with Gill, while Rohit batted as late as number 7.

“I believed they were considering Ishan Kishan as a backup opener in addition to the backup keeper, and Sanju would most likely bat in the middle order. That surprises me since I assumed he would have the chance first,” Jaffer remarked.

Samson averages an amazing 66 after 11 ODIs and has a superb strike rate of 104.76, while Ishan may score a double-century in his limited ODI career.

Jaffer also questioned who India may select as their third opener if Ishan ends up replacing Pant as the starting wicketkeeper.

“Which third opener is that? Given that Ruturaj Gaikwad was chosen for the Asian Games, I’m guessing Ruturaj Gaikwad, but I’m not sure. Once again, I have no idea who the third opener is, Jaffer remarked.

Additionally, he requests that India deploy up to three spinners in order to give Axar Patel more opportunities.

“I’m a bit shocked not to see Sanju there, and I’m surprised not to see Axar Patel there because I felt he was pretty good with ball and bat when Ravindra Jadeja wasn’t available. Jadeja and Axar can bat at positions 7 and 8, therefore I believe moving ahead India should consider fielding three spinners. I’m a bit shocked, but I anticipated this,” he said.