Selection Storm: Kaif Calls Out Agarkar Over Controversial ODI Call

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has sharply criticised the national selection committee's decision to include Dhruv Jurel as the backup wicketkeeper in the ODI squad for the upcoming Australia series, calling the omission of Sanju Samson a "wrong decision". The controversy erupted following the BCCI's squad announcement on October 4, which saw Shubman Gill named ODI captain and veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning after a six-month hiatus post the 2025 Champions Trophy triumph. With Rishabh Pant sidelined by a lingering foot injury from the England tour, many anticipated Samson's recall, given his impressive ODI record of 510 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.7 and a strike rate of 99.6, including a century against South Africa in his last outing.

Instead, the Ajit Agarkar-headed panel opted for the 23-year-old Jurel, fresh off a maiden Test century (111) in the ongoing West Indies series, marking his first white-ball call-up. Kaif, in a YouTube video analysis, argued that while Jurel's compact technique signals long-term potential, Samson's proven middle-order firepower—particularly against spin—makes him indispensable for the subcontinental team's tour Down Under.

Kaif highlighted the mismatch in roles, noting Samson's versatility at Nos. 5 or 6, where he excels as a six-hitter with 81 maximums in IPL 2025, ranking among the league's top power-hitters. "Selectors got it wrong. Sanju Samson doesn't bat up the order in ODIs; he has batted down the order. Proven six-hitter, great vs spin, among IPL's top six hitters, better than Jurel.

In Australia, he'd have taken on Zampa easily," Kaif stated, referencing Australia's legspinner Adam Zampa. He praised Jurel's recent form—"He looked very compact and organised, and he is definitely the future of Indian cricket"—but lamented the overemphasis on current red-ball success at the expense of Samson's consistency, including a match-winning 108 in his prior ODI. This isn't the first backlash against Agarkar; earlier critiques targeted Gill's captaincy over Rohit, though the chief selector defended Jurel's inclusion by citing his natural lower-order batting alignment with KL Rahul's style.

The three-match ODI series, starting October 19 in Perth, forms part of India's 2027 World Cup build-up, with the squad blending experience—Rohit, Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain)—and youth like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Samson, however, finds solace in the T20I leg, captained by Suryakumar Yadav from October 29, where his explosive opening has shone in the recent Asia Cup victory. Former selector Kris Srikkanth echoed Kaif's sentiments, questioning the snub despite Samson's superior limited-overs stats, fuelling fan debates on platforms like X, where #JusticeForSanju trended briefly.

Agarkar, addressing the media, emphasised balance: "You have seen how good a player Dhruv is. Again, you are looking at spots." As India eyes a strong start on bouncy Australian pitches, the wicketkeeping conundrum—Jurel's untested ODI strike rate of 100 in his lone appearance versus Samson's middle-overs mastery—remains a flashpoint in selection discourse.

Also Read: Ajit Agarkar Confirms Jadeja Still in India's ODI Plans Despite Exclusion from Australia Tour

The outcry reflects broader tensions in India's transition phase, with Pant's absence exposing deep issues in the 'keeper-batter role amid a packed calendar. Fans and analysts like Kaif urge a rethink for future series, arguing Samson's ability to accelerate against spin could prove vital on slower Australian tracks. With the Test series against the West Indies ongoing—India leading 1-0—the white-ball squad's composition will be scrutinised when Gill's men depart next week, potentially setting the tone for bilateral success and World Cup contention.

Also Read: Richa Ghosh Inspires With Record-Breaking Knock in Women’s Cricket World Cup