Revealed: Why Sanju Samson has been included as reserve wicket-keeper for Asia Cup 2023

Sanju Samson will accompany India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad as a traveling reserve.

The squad for team India for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 was announced on Monday in a press conference attended by the chairman of the Indian selection committee Ajit Agarkar and Indian captain Rohit Sharma. The announced team had a total of 17 players, and some of them are making comebacks. Rohit and Hardik Pandya will be the captain and vice captain, while Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli will be in the top order.

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are the two big names that have returned to the team just after a week of comebacks for Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna. With two Indian star batters back on the side, the Indian middle order will be stronger than we saw in the last six months or so. But the squad also saw the name of Sanju Samson, who is in the traveling reserves.

Ajit Agarkar reveals why Sanju Samson will travel with the Indian team as a traveling reserve for Asia Cup 2023

KL Rahul suffered an injury during the Indian Premier League 2023, which ruled him out of the competition. He had his surgery and was at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The 31-year-old also played some practice matches at the NCA, and after getting the green signal, he was picked by the selection committee. However, Agarkar confirmed during the press conference that Rahul is not fully fit.

He said in a statement that the 31-year-old has a small niggle, but the good news is that it is not related to the last injury he had. Agarkar said, “KL Rahul still has some niggle, hence Sanju Samson is travelling as a reserve.” Samson will be the backup wicket-keeper in the squad. If Rahul can’t make it, Samson will replace him.

However, India will hope that Rahul can get back to 100 percent because he brings great balance to the team. He can keep the wickets and is a good batter in the middle order, where India have struggled in recent times. Team India will play their first match on September 2 against Pakistan in Pallekele and are in Group A.

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