Sanju Samson To Be Dropped For Asia Cup 2023?

image-lletm6meSamson had a poor showing in the Caribbean Tour [Twitter]

Talented wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson will likely face repercussions for his poor showing in the Caribbean as the reports are rife that the selectors might axe him from the Asia Cup squad.

Samson endured a poor tour of the Caribbean islands, especially in the shortest format of the game, managing just 32 runs in 3 outings.

Though he averages a healthy 55.71 after 13 ODI outings, the Kerala cricketer didn't look at his best in the recent series, where he managed 60 runs in 2 innings

Sanju Samson to be out after poor returns from West Indies?

According to a report published in the Times of India, sources close to the BCCI have indicated that KL Rahul is more-or-less fit and is likely to return to the squad soon. The source also revealed that Shreyas Iyer is yet to attain full fitness.

With Rahul returning, and Ishan Kishan doing well in whatever chances he got in the ODI series against the West Indies, the latter is likely to leapfrog Samson for the 2nd wicket keeper slot.

"Rahul is by and large fit, and is 'keeping wickets too, while Shreyas Iyer (operated for a back injury) is still not 100%. 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." as quoted by TOI.

Meanwhile, the source also indicated that the selectors and the management are looking to blood-in a fit-again Prasidh Krishna into the ODI set-up as, according to them, the tall pacer could prove to be a point-of-difference in the Indian attack.

"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," a source told TOI.

Krishna will feature in the upcoming T20Is against Ireland, which will serve as a good indication about his progress post-injury.

India are yet to announce their squad for the Asia Cup thanks to uncertainty over the injury-ridden players.

The continental tournament will kickstart from August 30, while the Men in Blue will open their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Pallekele on September 02.