IND vs SA: Will Sanju Samson play ahead of Rajat Patidar and Tilak Varma in 1st ODI?

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IND vs SA: India will play an ODI match for the first time after their defeat against Australia in the final of the World Cup 2023 when they face South Africa at the New Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, December 17.

In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumah, Mohammed Shami, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, several players have been given opportunities in the three-match ODI series. Only three players from the 16-member squad featured in the World Cup 2023.

The likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar, Tilak Varma and Sai Sudharsan have been given a chance to have a crack at the 50-over format, however, it will be Sanju Samson again who will garner the maximum limelight.

He was in the race to find a spot in India's World Cup 2023 squad but the Team India management and the selectors preferred Suryakumar Yadav over him.

The 29-year-old from Kerala was not named for the three T20Is against South Africa. The format is more relevant keeping in view the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Therefore, breaking into the squad through his performances in the ODIs could be a great option for Samson. But will Sanju Samson get to play in the first ODI against South Africa?

Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rinku Singh and Axar Patel are most certainly going to occupy six of the eleven spots up for grabs. Four more spots would be occupied by the bowlers. As many as three contenders would be there for the remaining one slot.

Sanju Samson, Rajat Patidar and Tilak Varma might have to compete amongst themselves for that one spot. Sanju Samson is the most experienced out of the three, but in case he is given a place in the eleven, Shreyas Iyer might have to bat at number three.

Sanju Samson would be more suitable batting at number four, the position held by Shreyas Iyer in the 2023 World Cup. KL Rahul would look to continue batting at number five. Rinku Singh has fast gained the stature of India's best finisher and looks set to make his ODI debut and bat at number six. Axar Patel is most likely going to pip Washington Sundar at seventh spot.

Tilak Varma batted at number three in both the T20Is. He also bowled an over in the third match. The 21-year-old is seemingly being kept in the fast lane and being touted as one of the next big things in Indian cricket. Also, the southpaw batted at number three in his only ODI match against Bangladesh in September.

In case Tilak Varma continues to bat at number three, Sanju Samson's chances of featuring in the playing eleven can be in serious doubt. Rajat Patidar is also in the race. He has scores of 73 and 77 in his last two List A outings in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023. Those runs came while batting at number four and five positions respectively. He has a better List A average and strike rate than Samson.

Sanju Samson is facing a stiff challenge from Tilak Varma and Rajat Patidar, and it shouldn't be surprising to see him warming the bench in the first ODI against South Africa.