The BCCI men's selection committee on Monday (August 21) announced India’s 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023, slated to be held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan from August 30 to September 17.
While KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer made a return to the team after a lengthy injury hiatus, Sanju Samson was picked just as a backup option.
During the recently held West Indies tour, Samson failed to make the most of the opportunities, registering scores of 9 and 51 in two ODI innings and 12, 7 and 13 in three T20I innings.
Reflecting on India’s Asia Cup squad, India legend Sunil Gavaskar said Samson could have made the squad had he performed more consistently in recent matches.
There was also a noteworthy omission as wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal failed to make the cut.
According to Gavaskar, Chahal may have missed out on selection because his batting talent is inferior to someone like Kuldeep Yadav.
“If Sanju Samson had got more runs then he would have been a certainty in the team. So also with Chahal. But sometimes you are looking at the balance of the team. The selectors are sometimes hamstrung by the fact that they are looking at different aspects like fielding and what they can do with the bat,” Gavaskar told India Today.
“Kuldeep Yadav is a better batter than Chahal down the order, maybe that's why he gets the nod ahead of Chahal. In terms of Samson as well, because of the fact that he is an all-rounder as he can keep wickets as well. These are the factors that selection committee will look at. Sanju Samson is only 29 so I don't think that this is going to be his last World Cup. There is plenty of time for him to get into the Indian team. I think it is a very good side and we should back them,” he added.
KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion was another highlight of India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad. Both players underwent surgeries earlier this year, followed by extended rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
Rahul and Iyer are key batters for India in the middle-order in ODIs and their selection has bolstered the team’s chances to win the continental tournament.
India will begin their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Pakistan on September 2 in Pallekele.
