The Indian wicket-keeper batter, Sanju Samson has witnessed an in-and-out journey in his international career and now he has been excluded from India’s Asia Cup 2022 squad. Samson, who has played three matches on the trot – in the recent ODI series against West Indies – only once in his career so far ever since making his international debut way back in 2015, lost out to Rishabh Pant, who was preferred as the first-choice keeper along with Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul as back-up options.
Needless to say, the exclusion of Sanju Samson hasn’t gone down well for Indian fans on social media. The Kerala cricketer was not the only prominent name to miss out on an Asia Cup berth. Two other T20I regulars Ishan Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer have also received a snub from the 15-member squad announced for the marquee event starting on August 27 in UAE but the social media protest was mostly reserved for Samson.
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The fact that the Rajasthan Royals captain was not even considered as a standby for which three players – Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer, and Deepak Chahar were named – is what irked fans more.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the exclusion of Sanju Samson from India’s Asia Cup 2022 squad:
It's pure Injustice to Sanju Samson
By BCCI selectors side lining him every now & Then! It's up to Ashwin now that he has the ability to Take Wickets as well Dry runs against Quality spin players from Pakistan Sri Lanka & B'desh in Asia Cup 2022#AsiaCup2022#IndianCricketTeam pic.twitter.com/HcaveQyXnF— MTvalluvan (@MTvalluvan) August 8, 2022
An expected exclusion from asia cup squad but the real stroy behind is.👇🏻#sanjusamson #AsiaCup2022#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/CyDdMfCnsD
— Mahi Bishnoi (SanjusamsonFan) (@Sanjusamsonf11) August 8, 2022
Not a fan Sanju Samson but he should have been playing instead of Hooda. https://t.co/M0vLGxNnfa
— °• Chenae •° (@chenae876) August 8, 2022
Performance of Wicketkeepers in T20is in 2022
SANJU-158.40 SR& 44.75 AVG
ISHAN-130.30 SR& 30.71 AVG
PANT-135.42 SR& 26 AVG
DK-133.33 SR& 21.33 AVGBest performers- Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan.
Picked in Asia Cup- Pant and DKDoes that make sense?#AsiaCup2022 #Sanjusamson pic.twitter.com/hCgIxOKmd2
— Anurag (@Right2Gaps) August 8, 2022
Why Not Sanju Samson. Dinesh Karthik just averages 21 this year with 133 strike rate who is known as Finisher while sanju samson averages 44 with 160 strike rate this year pic.twitter.com/eKwZraSmQ7
— Just Butter (@ItzButter63) August 8, 2022
8 years he's been avoided still never cried on social media that's my man #sanjusamson are you agree? pic.twitter.com/AJjuZgVqEl
— sanju samson squad (@NirmalK55051459) August 4, 2022
India does not deserve player like Sanju Samson 🫂
Hard luck champp💔#SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/bVpeBbg3Hn— Madhan tam (@Madhantam) August 8, 2022
Why is Sanju Samson not even on standby..what wrong has he done..always in & out of team..Axar & Jadeja are same type of bowlers you don't need both!! Sanju's record in UAE >>>> than Hooda's record..!!!
— Sharun (@sharun_sanel) August 8, 2022
The Indian squad has witnessed the comeback of Virat Kohli and vice-captain KL Rahul but fiery seamers, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel were not available for selection due to injuries. Kohli has witnessed a rough patch across all formats and the 33-year-old is without a century in international cricket since November 2019.
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KL Rahul will be making a comeback after being on the sidelines following a groin injury and Covid-19 diagnosis. He will be Rohit Sharma’s deputy. India will be the defending champions at the Asia Cup, which will be played from Aug. 27-Sept. 11 in the United Arab Emirates. They will open their campaign against arch-rivals and arch-rivals Pakistan in a blockbuster Sunday clash.
The tournament, which serves as preparation for the Asian sides in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup later this year, was shifted to the UAE last month due to the political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka, who retains the hosts’ honor.
