In a crucial turn of events for wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson, his hopes of securing a spot in the Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup have been cast into uncertainty following his underwhelming performance during the West Indies tour. Despite the potential absence of KL Rahul due to fitness concerns, Samson failed to capitalize on the opportunity to strengthen his case for selection ahead of the Asia Cup.
The Rajasthan Royals cricketer, who was chosen for the West Indies tour, found himself facing the pressure to deliver standout performances that could solidify his place in the team for the prestigious Asia Cup tournament. However, Samson struggled to make an impact with the bat during the tour, leaving doubts about his inclusion for the upcoming event.
According to a report from The Times of India (TOI), the lackluster showing during the West Indies tour could result in Samson being left out of the Asia Cup squad. The final decision on the squad composition is expected to be announced on August 20. Notably, sources mentioned that the selectors are currently focusing primarily on assembling the Asia Cup team, while the World Cup squad selections are likely to follow later.
Complicating Samson's bid for selection are the returns of KL Rahul and the impressive form displayed by Ishan Kishan. The resurgence of KL Rahul, along with Kishan's consistent performances, further diminishes Samson's chances of being chosen for the Asia Cup squad.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra also weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Samson's potential could be maximized by promoting him to a higher batting position. Chopra emphasized that in order to unlock Samson's full potential across formats, he should be given the opportunity to bat higher up the order, drawing a parallel with the successful strategy employed with Rohit Sharma.
During the West Indies tour, Samson was included in the white-ball squad and was granted multiple opportunities to prove his mettle. However, rash shot selections in several games proved detrimental to his overall performance. In the One Day Internationals (ODIs), he had two chances and managed to score a brisk 51 off 41 balls in the second ODI. In the T20 Internationals (T20Is), Samson's scores of 12, 7, and 13 failed to impress, underscoring his struggle for consistency.
As the decision date for the Asia Cup squad announcement approaches, Sanju Samson finds himself in a precarious position, hoping for his fortunes to take a positive turn and earn him a spot in the coveted team.