Sanju Samson’s Potential Inclusion in India’s 2023 World Cup Squad

Sanju Samson’s path to securing a spot in India’s World Cup 2023 squad has been clouded by uncertainty and unfortunate circumstances, including a knee injury that caused him to miss most of the white-ball matches against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. While KL Rahul currently fills the wicketkeeping and middle-order batting roles and Shreyas Iyer seems to have solidified his spot at number 4, Samson’s strong performances in the IPL 2023 and any future opportunities with the Indian team could sway selectors in his favour. Here, we’ll discuss factors unique to Samson, which the management and selectors hopefully recognize, could give him an edge over his competitors.

 

India’s depth in the 50-over format comes under scrutiny after rare home series defeat and injury woes

India suffered a rare series defeat at home in ODIs after losing the decider to Australia by 21 runs in Chennai. While the match saw Suryakumar Yadav’s dismal run of form continue, the depth of India’s ODI squad also came under scrutiny. With four first-choice players out of action due to injuries and accidents, India’s bench strength was exposed against a formidable Australian team.

Rishabh Pant, who was injured in a car accident in December 2022, is still undergoing rehabilitation. Shreyas Iyer, who suffered a back injury, is also expected to be out for a significant period. Pacers Prasidh Krishna and Jasprit Bumrah are also sidelined with injuries.

The injury recurrence of Shreyas Iyer during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy only added to India’s woes. Although India had a backup in Suryakumar Yadav, he failed to make an impact in the series. Yadav’s returns in formats other than T20s have been dismal, prompting the team management and selectors to consider other options.

Sanju Samson, who averages 66 in the ODI format, is likely to be given a chance to prove himself in the absence of injured players. Another youngster, Deepak Hooda, who is part of the T20I squad, could also make a comeback in the ODI team, replacing Iyer.

Despite previous selections in the squad, players like Rajat Patidar and Rahul Tripathi are unlikely to get a chance, given that India only plays six ODIs before the ODI World Cup, apart from the Asia Cup.

India’s defeat to Australia highlighted the importance of having a strong bench strength, especially in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup. With several key players injured, India will have to rely on their backups to fill the void. The inclusion of Samson and Hooda could provide India with the necessary firepower to compete at the highest level.

However, India’s bench strength will need to prove themselves against strong opposition, both in the upcoming ODIs and the IPL. The selectors and team management will be closely monitoring their performances to ensure that India has the best possible squad for the World Cup.

Overall, India’s defeat to Australia serves as a wake-up call for the team, highlighting the need for a strong and reliable bench strength. The inclusion of Samson and Hooda could provide the necessary impetus for India to bounce back and put up a strong performance in the upcoming ODIs and the World Cup.

Backing All Players for World Cup Glory: Ashwin on Samson’s Inclusion in Indian Cricket Team

Ravichandran Ashwin, the India off-spinner, believes that the Indian cricket team should focus on giving positive vibes and backing all players to win the upcoming ICC 50-over Cricket World Cup in October. He also supported the idea of trying out Sanju Samson in the team, as suggested by fans and experts. In contrast, Suryakumar Yadav struggled to score runs in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia, with three consecutive ducks, leading to calls for Samson’s inclusion in the team.

Ravichandran Ashwin made his comments on his Youtube channel, responding to suggestions from fans and former cricketer Wasim Jaffer that Sanju Samson should be given a chance in the Indian team for the upcoming World Cup. Ashwin emphasized his priority of India winning the tournament and called for positive support for all players.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav’s poor performance in the recent ODI series against Australia has led to calls for Samson’s inclusion in the team. Yadav failed to score a single run in the series and suffered three consecutive ducks. In comparison, Samson has performed well in limited opportunities for India in ODI cricket, scoring 330 runs from 11 games at an average of 66.

 

Could Sanju Samson Be India’s Wildcard Entry in The World Cup 2023 Squad? Here’s Why

Samson Knows His Priorities

Sanju Samson prioritizes the team’s needs over his own batting average, according to recent reports. While India looks for quick starts in ODIs, Suryakumar Yadav has not been able to replicate his T20 success. Samson, on the other hand, focuses on making "impactful runs" that can change the momentum of the game quickly. This approach applies not only to T20s but also to ODIs, where India’s batting depth should be fully utilized.

Sanju Samson’s versatility in batting positions makes him a valuable addition to India’s ODI squad for the upcoming World Cup

Samson has showcased his adaptability by batting in various positions in India’s ODI and T20I teams. He has proven himself capable of taking on any challenge, including tackling the new ball as a top-order batsman in the IPL. Samson’s fifties in difficult situations during tough chases demonstrate his temperament. With Ishan Kishan’s inconsistency, Samson’s versatility makes him a valuable addition to India’s ODI squad for the 2023 World Cup.

Samson’s aggressive batting and killer instinct overlooked in India’s ODI team

Sanju Samson is known for his aggressive batting style and has demonstrated a killer instinct to take down bowlers at any point in the game. Despite his impressive performance in ODI cricket last year, scoring 284 runs in 9 innings at an average of 71 and a strike rate of 105, he has not been given a consistent opportunity in India’s ODI team. Samson’s career strike rates in ODI cricket show that he is particularly effective from over 16 onward, with a strike rate above 100 in six out of seven five-over blocks.

 

Most Predicted India’s ODI Squad After IPL

Player Name	Role
Rohit Sharma	Captain
Shubman Gill	Batter
Virat Kohli	Batter
Sanju Samson	Batter
Deepak Hooda	Batter
KL Rahul (wk)	Wicketkeeper-batter
Ishan Kishan (wk)	Wicketkeeper-batter
Hardik Pandya (vc)	All-rounder
Ravindra Jadeja	All-rounder
Kuldeep Yadav	Spinner
Washington Sundar	Spinner
Yuzvendra Chahal	Spinner
Mohammed Shami	Fast bowler
Mohammed Siraj	Fast bowler
Umran Malik	Fast bowler
Shardul Thakur	Fast bowler
Axar Patel	All-rounder
Jaydev Unadkat	Fast bowler

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, India’s ODI team is currently facing a few challenges with the absence of key players due to injuries and the underperformance of some of the younger players. The selectors and team management will have to make some tough decisions in the coming months leading up to the World Cup 2023. The performances of players in the upcoming IPL season will also be closely monitored, and it will be interesting to see if Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda can capitalize on their opportunities to make a strong case for selection. However, despite the challenges, India still has a talented pool of players and a strong team spirit that can help them overcome these obstacles and emerge as strong contenders for the World Cup.