Ahead Of India vs Pakistan Game, Sanju Samson Returns To India, Says Report

The announcement of India's 17-man lineup for the Asia Cup 2023 campaign sparked excitement around the cricketing world. Sanju Samson, a 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, was among those called upon.

His presence raised eyebrows and generated debate among fans and professionals alike. Sanju Samson's inclusion in the team was not without for a reason. He was named as the backup option for KL Rahul, who had been out with an injury.

Samson's role was critical, especially given Rahul's absence in the tournament's first two games against Pakistan and Nepal.

As luck would have it, KL Rahul demonstrated his fitness by passing all of the requisite exams at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

This development represented a watershed moment in Samson's Asia Cup 2023 campaign. According to Dainik Jagran, the team administration made the difficult choice to dismiss him from the squad.

The 2023 World Cup Snub

Samson's situation was complicated further by his exclusion from India's 15-man roster for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. The World Cup, which will be held in India from October 5 to November 19, would be the country's first time hosting the tournament on its own.

Rahul's Challenge and Samson's Departure

As Sanju Samson travels for Sri Lanka, KL Rahul prepares to replace Ishan Kishan in the playing XI for the highly awaited match against Pakistan on September 10. Given his critical role as India's number 5 hitter, Rahul's return to the team is a big boost.

Harbhajan Singh's Point of View

Harbhajan Singh, a former Indian spinner, weighed in on the controversy, defending the selection committee's choice. He believes the selectors made the correct decision in selecting Suryakumar Yadav over Samson for the middle-order slot.

Suryakumar's dependability and ability to anchor an innings were highlighted by Harbhajan, attributes he believes Samson lacks in the limited-overs game.

Rahul's Recovery Path

KL Rahul's journey back to full fitness was not easy. During the IPL 2023, the batter had an injury, necessitating extensive recovery, including surgery. His miraculous comeback is not only a monument to his willpower, but also a ray of hope for the Indian squad, which faces stiff opponents in Pakistan.