World Cup dream over! Sanju Samson likely to be dropped for Asia Cup 2023
Team India Star Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, who failed to impress in the little opportunities he got in the ODI and T20I series against the West Indies during India's trip of the West Indies, is unlikely to be named to India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.
According to The Crichistory.com, the Kerala-based cricketer is unlikely to be selected for the continental tournament, which begins on August 30 in Multan.
The Asia Cup 2023 will take played in a hybrid format this year. Pakistan will host four games, with the remaining games, including the final on September 17, being held in Sri Lanka.
Related Stories
According to available information, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will select India's squad for the Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday (August 20), and as a result of the shocking T20I series defeat in the Caribbean islands, Samson, who only managed to score 12, 7, and 13 runs in three T20Is, as well as 9 and 51 in the final two ODIs, may find himself out of India's 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023.
India will kick off their Asia Cup campaign against archrivals Pakistan on September 2 in Pallekele.
The tournament will be played in ODI format this year. "For the time being, the selectors are likely to pick only the Asia Cup team." "The majority of the World Cup squad will be chosen later," a source informed Crichistory.com.
Sanju is expected to be dropped due to Ishan Kishan's strong performance in one-day internationals against the West Indies, when he struck three consecutive centuries, and the prospective return of KL Rahul to the side.
If healthy, Rahul will be India's first choice wicketkeeper-batsman, and Ishan has done enough to be his backup, thus closing the door on Samson, who has a batting average of 55.71 in 13 One-Day Internationals.
According to a report in a top website, selectors may add pacer Prasidh Krishna in India's roster for the Asia Cup 2023, along with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah and Krishna have been out for nearly a year owing to injuries, but they will make their long-awaited comeback against Ireland in the first T20I of the three-match series on Friday (August 18).
"Prasidh can generate pace and bounce, giving our pace attack a new dimension." "It will be nice if the selectors get to see both Bumrah and Prasidh bowl in the first T20I against Ireland on August 18 before they pick the team for the Asia Cup," a source told Crichistory.com.
While Pakistan and Bangladesh have released their squads for the Asia Cup 2023, the BCCI is yet to reveal theirs because they want to assess the fitness of a couple of key players.
"Rahul is generally fit and is keeping wickets, while Shreyas Iyer (who had back surgery) is still not fully recovered." Both have participated in match simulations at Bangalore's National Cricket Academy and will play a practise match soon.
The fitness of the players who have returned from the West Indies tour will be evaluated by the team and the NCA's physios. As a result, the team's announcement has been delayed," the source noted.