Sanju Samson’s vocal, massive fan base is impressive, given that he is not a regular in the India squad. His supporters were up in arms, not for the first time, when Samson was not included in the 2023 ODI Asia Cup squad. The wicketkeeper-batter will travel with the team as just a back-up player, as K.L. Rahul is carrying a niggle (unrelated to his original injury).
It now appears that Samson’s prospects of making it to the 2023 Cricket World Cup are slim to none. The selectors have made this clear by excluding Samson to accommodate a returning Rahul and Ishan Kishan. Rahul makes his comeback from injury, and will don the role of wicketkeeper-batter. Kishan has been named as the second wicketkeeper, sending Samson down the hierarchy.
