All the 10 teams who have qualified for the World Cup starting from October this year, have started building up their team lineup. Keeping in mind the same, team India has recalled Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad in their 3-match ODI series against the Caribbean, later this month. Sanju Samson will be hoping for the best to make his mark with his batting before the upcoming World Cup.
Team India won their last World Cup in 2011, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. In the past two editions of the World Cup, India managed to get to the Semifinals in 2015 and 2019 occasion. Being the hosts this year, Team India is considered to be the favorites this time, to repeat their 2011 triumph.
Sanju Samson will be tried as an opener- MSK Prasad
Former BCCI Chief Selector MSK Prasad was having an interaction with Khel Now and stated that Sanju Samson can open the batting along with Rohit Sharma for the 3-match ODI series. West Indies are out of the ODI WC 2023 whereas the ODI Series would serve as a stepping stone for marquee ODI WC 2023 for India.
“Samson is a top-order batsmen, and will be tried as opener. Surya is already there, I don’t think there will be a competition between Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav. Sanju is a top-order batter and Surya is middle order number 4 and number 5 batter,” said MSK Prasad.
“You never know you can also see Sanju Samson open along with Rohit Sharma. So I don’t think there’s any competition between Sanju and Surya, the competition will be between Sanju and a wicketkeeper-batsman,” he added.
Great Chance for Sanju Samson
It seems a good opportunity for Samson, but the competition is tough as Gill has already marked his presence, and with Gaekwad also in the race. Samson played his last ODI for India in the series against New Zealand in 2022.
MSK Prasad also feels unlucky that despite playing good cricket in ICC events, it’s been 10 years that Team India has not been able to lift the trophy.
“It is unfortunate that despite playing so good cricket in the ICC events, we are empty-handed. Also New Zealand since 1975 have failed to get that finishing touch as well and failed in the semifinals most of the time. India just need that one finishing touch to be champions and definitely in the next World Cup we will get there,” said MSK Prasad.
Also Read: IND vs WI: Rohit Sharma Led Side Awaits A Steep Caribbean Challenge
Good write up on Sports News