Asia Cup 2023: In a recent twist of events, Sanju Samson, a distinguished batsman for the Indian cricket team, finds himself on the sidelines. Despite his considerable talent, Samson hasn’t secured a spot in several important teams, raising eyebrows in the cricketing community.
Continuous Snubs for Samson:
Sanju Samson, a seasoned and skilled batsman, faced numerous exclusions recently. He missed out on joining the World Cup team, was overlooked for the ODI series against Australia, and most notably, was left out of the Asian Games team. This series of omissions has sparked controversy, with many in the cricket fraternity voicing their concerns. One such name is former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra. Displeased with the selectors’ decision, Chopra opines that Samson deserved a spot, especially in the Asian Games team.
ODI Series Against Australia:
IND vs AUS: As the Indian team prepares for a three-match ODI series against Australia, several senior players are being given rest for the initial two matches. KL Rahul is set to lead the team for these encounters. While young talents like Rituraj Gaikwad and Tilak Verma made the cut, Sanju Samson, surprisingly, did not.
Aakash Chopra’s Stance:
The omission of Samson from the Asian Games team especially stirred a reaction from Aakash Chopra. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed his disbelief and disappointment at this decision. He mentioned, “It’s perplexing that Sanju Samson, who was a reserve player in the Asia Cup, hasn’t been picked even for the Australia series.” Chopra anticipates Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad as openers for the Australia series, with Ishan Kishan likely playing the middle order.
In Defense of Samson:
IND vs AUS: Delving deeper, Chopra stressed that Samson not only deserved a place in the Asian Games squad but could have been a strong contender for its captaincy. “Considering how close he was to being in the World Cup team, sidelining him like this is a questionable move,” Chopra remarked. “If the selectors believe he isn’t fit for the role, I’d say such a belief is unfounded.”
In the realm of sports, decisions around team selection often raise debates. While the selectors have their reasons, voices like Aakash Chopra bring to light the perspectives of many who believe in Samson’s capabilities. Only time will tell if this decision will work in India’s favor or if they’ll rue missing out on a talent like Sanju Samson.