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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently unveiled Team India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, sparking a wave of discussions and debates among cricket enthusiasts. While the return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer to the ODI squad and the inclusion of young talent Tilak Varma were noteworthy, the omission of Sanju Samson from the squad raised eyebrows and fueled speculation.
Samson, the right-handed batter known for his flamboyant style and remarkable performances in the shortest format of the game, has been a subject of much debate regarding his inclusion in the ODI squad. With 390 runs in 12 ODI innings at an impressive average of 55.71 and a strike rate of 104.00, his numbers in the 50-over format stand as a testament to his potential as a valuable asset to the team.
However, much to the surprise of cricket fans, Samson was selected as a reserve player for the Asia Cup squad. This move implies that he will only be considered for selection if Rahul, who is currently recovering from an injury, gets ruled out of the tournament. Rahul’s niggle has cast a shadow over his availability for the opening game of the tournament, although he might be fit for the subsequent match against Nepal.
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Players averaging less than Samson in ODIs picked for Asia Cup squad
What raised even more eyebrows was the comparison of Samson’s ODI record with that of some of the other players who made the cut for the Asia Cup squad. Four batters, including Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Rahul and the new sensation Varma, have been selected despite having lower ODI averages than Samson.
Suryakumar Yadav: Touted as “Mr. 360” for his innovative shot-making and versatility, Suryakumar has amassed 511 runs in 26 ODIs at an average of 24.33. While he has made a mark in T20 cricket, his ODI performance hasn’t yet reached the heights expected of him.
Ishan Kishan: The left-handed explosive batter Kishan, comes closest to matching Samson’s ODI average. Kishan has accumulated 694 runs in 17 ODIs at an average of 46.26, which includes a remarkable double century. His aggressive approach and ability to anchor innings have made him a promising prospect.
KL Rahul: Another established name in Indian cricket Rahul, has been a consistent performer in white-ball cricket. Despite his impressive ODI record of 1986 runs in 54 matches at an average of 45.13, with five centuries to his name, his average falls short of Samson’s.
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Tilak Varma: The inclusion of young talent Varma, who is yet to make his ODI debut, was one of the most surprising moves by the selectors. While Varma has an impressive List A record with an average of 56.18, his selection in the Asia Cup squad ahead of a proven performer like Samson raised questions about the criteria for squad selection.
