WC squad all but decided, SKY aces Samson as Agarkar offers IND vs IRE hint

After multiple injuries and debate over middle-order, it all came down to Suryakumar Yadav or Sanju Samson. One has succeeded but has been inconsistent while the other is still an X-Factor. But take a look at the India squad for Ireland and you have the answer. Despite recent struggles, Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has decided to rest SKY from IND vs IRE T20 series, limiting his workload. Sanju, on the other hand, will play back-to-back series. That’s the hint for Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023. SKY has aced Sanju.

“It was the selectors’ call. Sanju hasn’t got many opportunities and it’s only natural to keep him ready. By no means he is out of Asia Cup or World Cup,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.

But the words of the official should be taken with a grain of salt. If SKY is struggling, why rest him ahead of Asia Cup 2023? If Sanju Samson is in Asia Cup and World Cup 2023 plans, why not rest him as well?

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The reality is India head coach Rahul Dravid has already decided his combinations. And Sanju does not feature in the 15-member squad. With Ishan Kishan nailing the backup keeper’s slot, the 15-member squad is decided barring a decision on Ravichandran Ashwin.

Sanju, at best, will be among the standbys along with his Rajasthan Royals teammate Yuzvendra Chahal. Therefore, he is not even in the Asian Games 2023 squad. As KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will return to the team in Asia Cup 2023, that is goodbye for Sanju Samson.

Where does SKY & Sanju fit in World Cup 2023 squad?

• Despite poor numbers in ODIs, Suryakumar Yadav continues to be the X-Factor.
• He has the ability to take the game away from the opposition.
• With the Top 5 sealed, Suryakumar Yadav has been earmarked to be the No 6.
• However, it is unlikely that he will find a place in the team with Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya taking up the all-rounders’ slots.
• As for Sanju Samson, it is clear that he has no place in the middle order. He is only a backup for KL Rahul.
• As KL Rahul will take up the keeper’s slot, Ishan Kishan will be his backup. As the team won’t carry three wicketkeepers, Sanju will be condemned to the reserves, missing the Asian Games as well.

Interestingly, when Sanju Samson will be busy playing in IND vs IRE T20s, selectors will pick the squad for Asia Cup 2023. And don’t be surprised if Samson’s name is missing.

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Probable India squad for Asia Cup & World Cup:

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Virat Kohli
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. KL Rahul (WK)
6. Hardik Pandya (VC)
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Kuldeep Yadav
9. Jasprit Bumrah
10. Mohammed Siraj
11. Mohammad Shami
12. Axar Patel
13. Ishan Kishan (WK)
14. Shardul Thakur
15. Suryakumar Yadav
16. Yuzvendra Chahal/ Ravichandran Ashwin (Standby)
17. Prasidh Krishna (Standby)
18. Sanju Samson (Standby)

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