Nobody quite saw this coming. When India announced their squad for the Afghanistan ODI series on May 19, the biggest talking point was undoubtedly Sanju Samson left out of India ODI squad despite arguably playing some of the best white-ball cricket of his career. Given the way Sanju Samson in IPL 2026 has unfolded, many fans expected him to walk straight back into the ODI setup. Instead, the selectors turned towards Ishan Kishan, who has quietly rebuilt his place in India’s plans after a difficult couple of years.
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Numbers That Deserved Attention
The frustration around Sanju Samson left out of India ODI squad becomes easier to understand once you actually look at the numbers. Samson has been sensational for Chennai Super Kings this season. In fact, Sanju Samson in IPL 2026 has been one of the few genuinely consistent bright spots in CSK’s campaign.
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He crossed 450 runs at a strike rate comfortably above 160, smashing two unbeaten centuries along the way. Those weren’t flat-track knocks either. One came against Delhi Capitals under scoreboard pressure, while the other dismantled Mumbai Indians in a high-intensity chase. His shot selection looked calmer, his tempo management improved, and perhaps most importantly, he appeared far more composed against spin in the middle overs.
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That’s why the phrase Sanju Samson left out of India ODI squad spread so quickly online. Fans weren’t reacting emotionally for no reason; statistically, his omission genuinely looked surprising. The awkward part for Samson is that this is not new. Despite owning a very respectable ODI average across his international career, he has never quite become a permanent fixture in India’s fifty-over side. Every time momentum seems to build around him, another selection reset arrives.
Why Did India Move Away From Him?
The selectors probably weren’t looking only at IPL runs. Modern ODI cricket has become heavily focused on squad balance, flexibility, and role adaptability. That may explain why Kishan edged ahead.
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Unlike Samson, Kishan offers left-handed variety in the middle order and can also open the batting if required. That flexibility matters a lot in tournament planning. India are already quietly building combinations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, and the management appears keen to create a squad where players can float across multiple batting positions.
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There is also the fielding aspect. While Samson has improved significantly behind the stumps, Kishan is generally viewed as the more explosive athlete in the field and the quicker mover in high-pressure situations.
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Another possible factor is tactical aggression. India’s current white-ball setup increasingly values batters who attack spin immediately after arriving at the crease. Ishan Kishan naturally fits that mould. Samson, despite his excellent strike rate, is still perceived by some selectors as a rhythm player who prefers constructing innings before fully accelerating. Fair or unfair, those subtle perceptions influence selection calls.
The Rise Of Ishan Kishan
What makes this entire situation even more interesting is how dramatically Kishan has revived his international prospects over the last year. Not too long ago, he seemed completely out of the picture. Now he is back in both T20I and ODI discussions.
Our Risers are ready for their national duties 💪🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/5QdjAeZ6pH
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 19, 2026
His performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad have been a huge reason why. While SRH’s aggressive batting usually grabs headlines through players like Travis Head or Heinrich Klaasen, Kishan has quietly added maturity to his game. He has balanced aggression with control far better than before.
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In several difficult chases this season, Kishan looked far calmer under pressure than the version fans saw two or three years ago. The selectors clearly noticed that growth. There is also the tactical advantage of having a wicketkeeper who can comfortably attack from ball one against pace. On flatter ODI wickets, India may feel Kishan gives them a slightly more dynamic backup option behind KL Rahul.
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Samson’s IPL Was Still Special
Even though the headlines are currently dominated by Sanju Samson left out of India ODI squad, it should not overshadow how impressive Sanju Samson in IPL 2026 actually was. He looked sharper physically, cleaner technically, and more authoritative as a senior batter. His six-hitting against seam bowling improved massively, particularly through the leg side. More importantly, he was scoring quickly without looking reckless.
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There were moments during Sanju Samson in IPL 2026 where he genuinely looked like one of the most complete Indian white-ball batters in the tournament. That’s precisely why the omission created such a strong reaction. The selectors may have prioritised squad structure over pure form, but from a fan perspective, leaving out a batter producing those numbers will always feel harsh.
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Is The ODI Door Closed?
Probably not. Although Sanju Samson left out of India ODI squad sounds dramatic right now, India’s ODI plans are still evolving. Injuries, workload management, and changes in form can quickly reshape the pecking order.
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Samson’s challenge is consistency across formats and continuing to force uncomfortable selection conversations. If Sanju Samson in IPL 2026 becomes the standard rather than a one-off purple patch, it will become increasingly difficult to ignore him for long.
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At the same time, Ishan Kishan knows this opportunity is massive. India rarely hand out second chances repeatedly in ODI cricket. If he performs well against Afghanistan, he could firmly establish himself as Rahul’s long-term backup, or even push for a more flexible batting role in the future. For now, though, one thing is certain: the debate around Sanju Samson left out of India ODI squad is not disappearing anytime soon.
