India Squad For ICC World Cup 2023 Announced, Sanju Samson Brutally Thrashed Away Through The Door

India spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin spoke on Sanju Samson’s chances of playing the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. Ashwin said that it will be hard for Sanju Samson to get a place at the top order.

While speaking on his official YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin reminded his fans that Sanju Samson has got a good record in the 50-over format and said how he scored a half-century in the 3rd ODI against West Indies. Ashwin also praised the batsman and said that he can play spinners well and that is his specialty.

“The other player who got a chance was Sanju Samson. He scored a fifty in the ODI series. In the T20I match, he scored 12 off 12. He got a role in the middle order. When it comes to IPL, he bats at number three or four largely. Mind you, he has got a very good record in ODIs. A very good average and he scored a 50 in the third ODI as well. And he took down spin as soon as he came in, and that’s his specialty,” Ashwin said on Sanju Samson.

Ashwin further added that the top four slots are not open in the Indian batting order and confirmed that there is no space for him in the top four.

Ashwin further praised the batsman and said that he can change a game at any point in time and that is his talent.

When speaking about Samson getting his top-four spot, the spinner said that the management has to see if there is any spot available in the top-four after one or two years of the upcoming world cup.

“When it comes to Team India, the number 3 and 4 slot is not open. Given Sanju’s ability and talent, we know he can change the course of the game at any point. He is a very good guy and we all want good for him. But the role we expect from Sanju when it comes to Team India is different. There is no space for him in the Top 4. Whether there will be a spot for him after the World Cup or after one or two years after the World Cup, we will have to wait and watch,” Ashwin added.

According to Ashwin, since Sanju Samson scored a half-century in the third ODI match against West Indies, he will be ahead in the team plan for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

“Because Virat at 3 is a fix. Rohit and Gill are also fixed as openers. Shreyas and KL are also absolute certainties when they are fit. We need a keeper-batter alone as a backup. So, if one of KL or Shreyas is not available they need a backup at 4 or 5. But Sanju is not doing that role in IPL. He is starting to do that role only in ODIs and he has scored a 50 in that role now. That’s good news for him and Team India. I feel Sanju Samson will be ahead in the contingency plan as far as the ODI World Cup is concerned and Tilak Varma is almost there,” Ashwin further added.

Has Sanju Samson’s poor record in T20I vs West Indies affected India?

Even though the Keralite scored a fifty in the third ODI match against the Caribbeans, he has failed to make a mark in the ongoing 20-over series against West Indies.

In the second T20I match, Sanju Samson came to bat at number position and scored only 12 runs in 12 balls. Currently, the 28-year-old is given the responsibility to lead the middle order along with Hardik Pandya, however, his average performance ceased India from scoring big targets.