Dream of playing in ODI World Cup 2023 is all but over for Kerala batter Sanju Samson. This could be seen as a fallout from India’s startling loss to West Indies in the recent five-match T20I series played in the Caribbean.
According to the Times of India, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who had a rough stretch and managed scores of 12, 7, and 13 in three games in addition to scoring 9 and 51 in ODIs, might not make India’s 15-man ODI squad for the Asia Cup 2023.
In short it means, almost all doors are now closed for Sanju Samson to register his name for ODI World Cup 2023.
On August 30, the Asia Cup 2023 will begin in Multan, and on September 2, India will face Pakistan in their opening match. The Asia Cup team is likely to be the only one chosen by the selectors at this time (on August 20). The World Cup 2023 squad would be chosen later, a source informed TOI.
If not Sanju Samson, then who?
Despite having a good 55.71 ODI average in 13 games, chances of Sanju Samson are diminished by the anticipated return from injury of veteran wicketkeeper-bat KL Rahul. Ishan Kishan, who has established himself as a reliable opener-keeper will act as a backup option in the squad.
Tall pacer Prasidh Krishna, who last competed for India against Zimbabwe in Harare on August 20, 2022, before being ruled out due to a stress fracture of the back, is one player who might make a comeback into India’s ODI team for the Asia Cup 2023 in addition to Jasprit Bumrah.
“Prasidh will add a fresh dimension to our speed assault since he can generate pace and bounce. It will be excellent if the selectors get to see both Bumrah and Prasidh bowl in the opening T20I against Ireland on August 18 before they choose the team for the Asia Cup,” a source told TOI.
The BCCI is taking its time to assess the players’ fitness while all the other nations have already revealed their teams for the event.
“KL Rahul is largely healthy and maintaining wickets, although Shreyas Iyer (who had back surgery) is still not fully recovered. At Bangalore’s National Cricket Academy, both have participated in match simulations, and shortly they’ll play a practice match. The team and NCA’s physios will also evaluate the players’ level of fitness after their return from the West Indies tour. Hence the delay in announcing the team,” the source said.
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