Explained: How Sanju Samson can get included in India squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Sanju Samson was part of the Asia Cup travelling group as KL Rahul's backup.

National chief selector Ait Agarkar and Indian captain Rohit Sharma held a press conference in Sri Lanka to announce a 15-members squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Three members of Asia Cup 2023 squad have found no place in India’s 15-members squad for the upcoming mega event. Sanju Samson, Prasidh Krishna, and Tilak Varma have found no place in Indian squad. Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar has informed us that they will be used as a like-for-like replacement in the worst-case scenario of a player’s injury.

Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Prasidh Krishna as backup

The Indian national chief selector informed the press that the three names not selected for the World Cup will be brought in case of injury concern. Wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson will be brought in place of Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul if anyone among them gets injured. KL Rahul has just gotten fitness clearance from the NCA and will be joining the Indian camp in Sri Lanka for Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2023. KL Rahul might make his comeback after a long gap against Pakistan in the Super Four game on September 10. The ACC is likely to change the venue due to heavy rain in Colombo.

Just as a like-for-like replacement for wicket-keepers, Tilak Varma will be used as India’s backup batting option in case there is an injury concern in the Indian batting order. Suryakumar Yadav has been included as a reserve middle-order option in the 15-members squad. Prasidh Krishna will be the backup option for pace bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur were picked in the main squad. Kuldeep Yadav remains the only front-line spinner in the lineup.

India have qualified for the super 4 round of Asia Cup and will take on Pakistan once again in the tournament on September 10. Asia Cup team has been retained, and extra players travelling with the team have been excluded. They will have 6-7 possible one-day international games to get their act together for the upcoming mega event. Team India did win against Nepal, but everyone was disappointed to watch their standard of fielding and bowling against a below-ranked team.