Reacting to Sanju Samson not being selected for upcoming Champions Trophy, ex-India captain Sunil Gavaskar said Samson was pitted against Rishabh Pant who is a "game-changer". Gavaskar stated Pant is a better wicket-keeper but Samson is a better batter between the two. "There is no excuse to leave Samson out," he stated. Samson last played an ODI in December 2023.