'I think he is playing': Sourav Ganguly hints Sanju Samson's inclusion in Indian team for South Africa ODIs

After the three-match T20I series against South Africa, which started in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (September 28), the Indian team will take on Temba Bavuma & Co. in a three-match ODI series as well. The matches will be played on October 6 (Lucknow), October 9 (Ranchi) and October 11 (Delhi). For the ODI encounter, the BCCI is yet to announce the Indian team. But it is expected that no one from the T20I team will take part in the ODI fixtures.

Various media outlets, citing different sources, have reported that India's T20 World Cup-bound team will travel to Australia immediately following the conclusion of T20I matches against the Proteas, and thus no player participating in the ongoing T20I series can play in ODIs.

The BCCI will announce a second-string squad for the ODI matches later this week, and it is expected that players who missed the bus to Australia will feature in the three-match series. But ahead of the team’s announcement, BCCI president and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has dropped a big hint about Sanju Samson’s inclusion in the team. The 27-year-old from Kerala was in the scheme of things for the T20 World Cup but unfortunately failed to find a place. He recently captained the India A side in a three-match white-ball series against New Zealand A and guided the hosts to a 3-0 sweep of the visitors.

In a meeting with the reporters, Ganguly said, "He (Samson) is playing well. He is there, and he played for India. He just missed the World Cup. I’m sure he will be in the thick of things. I think he is playing the One-Days against South Africa also. He is around. He does well for his franchise in the IPL (Rajasthan Royals). He is the captain. He has done very well for himself."

Ganguly also added that Samson is from Trivandrum, and there’s a lot of talent in Kerala. It would be great to have the local boy playing against the Proteas.

"I believe he is from Trivandrum. You [Trivandrum] have a lot of good players. Rohan Kunnummal got three centuries during the last Ranji Trophy. There’s a lot of talent in this part. Basil Thampi is also from here. So, a lot of talent in Kerala. It is no more a football-only state," added Ganguly.