World Cup 2023: Cricket fans were shocked when the BCCI Selection Committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, announced India’s squad for World Cup 2023 without including Sanju Samson. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin’s absence also raised eyebrows. However, hope still lingers for these players and their fan base. The final cut-off date for the squad list is September 27, offering a glimmer of possibility.
Sanju Samson, in particular, finds himself in a curious spot. His omission made room for Suryakumar Yadav, another player of considerable talents. Despite having shown immense promise and often outshining his competition in T20 games, Samson missed the cut. Even worse, he is not scheduled to don the Indian jersey until the T20 series against Australia post World Cup 2023. Yet, there is still a lifeline.
During the squad announcement, India’s cricket captain Rohit Sharma shed some light on the tough selection process. He remarked that it’s important to consider form, the opposition, and various circumstances before finalizing the team. In other words, form and tactical utility can still sway decisions until the last minute.
India will engage in a three-match ODI series against Australia just before the World Cup. Although it’s unlikely Samson will make it to this preparatory series, he could still be a last-minute inclusion to the World Cup squad in case of injuries. Given that Team India will be extensively traveling before the final squad submission, injuries are a realistic concern.
Adding to this, an Indian Express report reveals that Samson, along with Prasidh Krishna and Ashwin, is on the list of reserve players, even though BCCI has not officially named any. It seems Sanju Samson is actually the cover for two key players: Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. KL Rahul, another wicketkeeper-batter, is also recovering from an injury, making Samson’s inclusion as a backup a plausible scenario.
The Door Isn’t Closed Yet: How Sanju Samson and Ashwin Can Still Make the World Cup 2023 Squad
On the flip side, Ravichandran Ashwin’s case is somewhat different but equally hopeful. The veteran off-spinner is essentially the backup for Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Although his recent performance in ODIs has been less than stellar, injuries to any of the primary spinners could swing the pendulum in his favor. Ashwin’s experience and versatility still make him a valuable asset.
Prasidh Krishna, another hopeful, can bring an extra dimension to India’s fast bowling. While Shardul Thakur edged him out thanks to his superior batting skills, Krishna isn’t entirely out of the picture yet. Similarly, Tilak Varma is on standby as a handy left-hander with off-spin capabilities, though his chances seem slim.
While the initial squad announcement left many fans disheartened, the window of opportunity remains ajar for Sanju Samson and Ravichandran Ashwin. The upcoming series against Australia and the looming September 27 deadline add layers of complexity to the selection process. For these players and their fans, it’s a waiting game, but one tinged with hope and possibilities. And in the unpredictable world of cricket, hope can be a powerful thing.
India Squad for World Cup 2023
Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav
WKs: Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul
Seam all-rounders: Hardik Pandya (VC), Shardul Thakur
Spin all-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel,
Seamers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj
Spinner: Kuldeep Yadav
