Asia Cup 2023: He could have been part of the squad in place of either Tilak or SKY – Aakash Chopra on Sanju Samson’s exclusion

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Sanju Samson could have been part of India’s main squad for the Asia Cup 2023 in place of either Tilak Varma or Suryakumar Yadav. Samson has been included as a backup player for KL Rahul, who is carrying a niggle.

Meanwhile, Tilak Varma has been fast-tracked to the ODI team after he impressed on the recent tour of the West Indies. The southpaw scored 173 runs in five T20Is against the Windies and impressed with his temperament.

Furthermore, Suryakumar Yadav was lucky to hold his place in the ODI squad despite low returns in the recent past.

On the other hand, Sanju Samson had scored a quickfire knock of 51 runs off just 41 balls in the deciding ODI against the West Indies but could not continue the good show in the T20I series. Samson scored 40 runs from 26 balls in the second T20I against Ireland on Sunday.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “The first big news is that Sanju Samson’s name is not there. In whose place could his name have come? He would have come in place of either Tilak or Surya. He could have become a part of the 17 in place of either of them.”

The reputed commentator reckons Sanju Samson might consider himself unlucky to miss out on the Asia Cup squad.

“Sanju Samson’s fans and Sanju Samson himself might consider themselves slightly unlucky because his performances are good in ODIs as of now as well. He has an average of over 50 and he scored a fifty in the West Indies also. There is no doubt that he plays well. He has a little work experience as well.”

Samson has scored 390 runs at a fine average of 55.71 and an impressive strike rate of 104.00 in 12 ODI innings.

Chopra believes Samson is definitely the second option after KL Rahul to bat in the middle-order as a wicket-keeper.

“To be very honest, my initial thought was that if a wicketkeeper has to play in the middle order, Sanju Samson is definitely the second option after KL Rahul. However, if a place can be created as an opener, then Ishan Kishan, without a shadow of doubt, is your second wicketkeeper.”

The former KKR batter added that SKY hasn’t been able to grab his opportunities in the ODI format and thus his selection is surprising.

“Suryakumar Yadav’s story in ODI cricket has not been good. We all know that he is a very good player and we also want his ODI career to flourish but the truth is that he hasn’t been able to understand the ODI template thus far. The problem is that you have very little time.”

India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on September 2.