Sanju Samson’s ups and downs with the Indian side continue, as the excellent wicketkeeper-batter was left off India’s Asia Cup 2022 roster, which was published on Monday by the BCCI. Samson, who has only played three consecutive matches – in the most recent ODI series against the West Indies – since making his international debut seven years ago in 2015, was beaten out by Rishabh Pant, who was named first-choice keeper, with Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul as backup options. Needless to say, Samson’s omission outraged his social media admirers.
The cricketer from Kerala was not the only well-known figure who failed not qualify for the Asia Cup. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, two more T20I regulars, did not make the 15-man squad announced for the showpiece competition, which begins on August 27 in the UAE, but the social media outpouring was mostly reserved for Samson. What upset fans the most was that the Rajasthan Royals captain was not even considered a standby, despite the fact that three players were nominated: Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer, and Deepak Chahar.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Samson’s exclusion from India’s Asia Cup 2022 team
Virat Kohli and vice-captain KL Rahul were recalled, but pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel were ruled out due to injury. Kohli has struggled in all forms of the game, and the 33-year-old has not struck a century in international cricket since November 2019.
Rahul returns to the team after missing time with a groyne injury and a Covid-19 diagnosis. He’ll work as Rohit Sharma’s assistant. The Asia Cup, which will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates from August 27 to September 11, is the reigning champion. On Sunday, they will begin their campaign against archrivals and neighbours Pakistan.
The game, which serves as a warm-up for Asian nations ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year, was relocated to the UAE last month due to political and economic issues in Sri Lanka, which will host the event.