Sanju Samson to be dropped; India squad for ODI World Cup 2023 to be announced soon – sources

The Indian cricket team’s dream-shattering defeat in the T20 series against West Indies has raised multiple questions regarding the team selections ahead of the marquee tournaments like the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup 2023. As per recent reports, the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals Captain, Sanju Samson can be dropped for the Asia Cup. 

According to the Indian Cricket Board sources, Sanju Samson’s poor performance in the T20 series against West Indies can cost him the position in the Asia Cup. Samson played three T20 matches and managed the low score only 12, 7 and 13. The sources also revealed that the Indian Cricket Board is expecting to choose the squad only for the Asia Cup as of now, and will decide on the ODI World Cup later, probably after or during the last few days of the tournament. 

“Right now, the selectors are likely to only pick the Asia Cup team. The World Cup squad will mostly be picked later,” a close Indian Cricket Board source revealed to The Times of India (TOI).

Prasidh Krishna and Jasprit Bumrah are to be assessed after the first T20I against Ireland 

The source also revealed that the Indian Cricket Board would be considering Shreyas Iyer’s injury as he is not a hundred per cent fit and KL Rahul is mainly fit. India’s tour of Ireland will also be into consideration for the selection of players like Prasidh Krishna and Jasprit Bumrah. 

“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,” said the source. 

“Rahul is, by and large, fit and is keeping wickets too, while Shreyas Iyer (operated for a back injury) is still not 100 per cent. 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,”  concluded the Indian Cricket Board source.