Inconsistent Sanju Samson may be dropped for Asia Cup | Cricket News – Times of India
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MUMBAI: India’s shocking defeat at the hands of West Indies in the recently held five-match T20I series in the Caribbean could have repercussions.
If sources are to be believed, ‘keeper-bat Sanju Samson, who endured a poor run, managing scores of 12, 7 and 13 in three games, besides scoring 9 & 51 in the ODIs, could find himself out of India’s 15-man ODI squad for the Asia Cup, which is likely to be announced on August 20 (Sunday).
The Asia Cup will kick off in Multan on August 30, with India playing its first match against Pakistan on September 2. “Right now, the selectors are likely to only pick the Asia Cup team. The World Cup squad will mostly be picked later,” a source told TOI.
Even though his ODI average is an impressive 55.71 in 13 matches, Samson’s chances dim due to the likely return from injury of experienced ‘keeper-bat KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan having proved himself as a decent opener-keeper.
Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, one man who could make a comeback into India’s ODI side for the Asia Cup is tall pacer Prasidh Krishna, who last played for India against Zimbabwe at Harare on August 20, 2022, before he was ruled out due to a stress fracture of the back.
“Prasidh can generate pace and bounce and will give a new dimension to our pace attack. Before they pick the team for the Asia Cup, it will be nice if the selectors get to watch both Bumrah and Prasidh bowl in the opening T20I against Ireland on August 18,” a source told TOI.
While all the other nations have announced their teams for the tournament, the BCCI is taking its time to have a better idea about the fitness of the players.
“Rahul is by and large fit, and is ‘keeping wickets too, while Shreyas Iyer (operated for a back injury) is still not 100%. Both have taken part in match simulations at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and will play a practice match soon. The fitness of the players who are back from the West Indies tour will also be assessed by the team and NCA’s physios. Hence the delay in naming the team,” explained the source.
