Asia Cup 2023: Omission of Sanju Samson and Chahal, How It Could Be a Setback for Team India in the Tournament
![Sanju Samson and Chahal are out from Asia Cup 2023](https://theopinionatedindian.com/static/c1e/client/86164/uploaded/386dface1421d60e273a328eaee94688.webp)
Team India displayed their squad for the Asia Cup 2023 a few days ago, and the big positive was the return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer in the side. But the thing that was really mind-boggling was the exclusion of Sanju Samson.
Sanju Samson and Chahal could have been brilliant additions because the kind of skills they bring to the table are unique. Sanju has been a sublime performer in the ODI format, and the wrist spinner, on the other hand, could be a game changer, especially in the subcontinental conditions.
How Sanju Samson's omission could cost India?
India have picked KL Rahul, who is still not fully fit going into the Asia Cup 2023, and young Tilak Verma, who doesn’t have any experience of playing in the format. Surya Kumar Yadav, who still has to find a way to score runs in the one-day format, has been picked over Sanju.
India has picked two wicketkeepers, Ishan Kishan, who is also the third opener, and Lokesh Rahul, who will play in the middle order, and that’s where the problem arises for India.
If Kl does not make himself into the starting eleven in the first match, then Ishan Kishan has to be in the middle order, and everyone knows how the left-hander has struggled while playing in the middle order.
On the other hand, Sanju Samson has the ability to win matches and destroy any bowling in the world on his day; he has justified his place in the format with impactful full innings. His stats in the ODI format are amazing, with an average of over 55.
Yuzvendra Chahal has a very similar story; his rejection from the team shocked the most cricket lovers because his selection in the team was almost confirmed, but unfortunately, he did not make his way into the side.
He is someone who has the ability to turn the game around from nowhere. In subcontiential conditions, he could be the man with the key. He has done amazing work in the past for India.