Former Pakistan National Cricket Team leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee for giving a nod to KL Rahul over Kerala wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for the Asia Cup 2023.

On Monday, August 21, BCCI organized a press conference where captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar named India’s squad for the continental tournament. Rahul and Ishan Kishan were named as the two wicketkeeper-batters in India’s 17-man squad and Samson was kept as a stand-by because of Rahul’s fresh niggle.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Danish Kaneria said that Rahul has been an inconsistent performer for Team India, but still he gets opportunities and Sanju Samson doesn’t get this privilege. He said that Samson should have been included in the squad and Rahul should have been kept as a reserve player.

“KL Rahul didn’t perform in Test cricket, which led to him losing his place. He then failed to score in the IPL as well. He was injured and got an entry into the team once again when he recovered. This is unfair. If India gave KL Rahul another chance, Sanju Samson should also have been in the squad. Rahul should have been a reserve player. However, maybe he has become such a big name that they can’t drop him,” he said.

Sanju Samson will once again have to carry drinks – Danish Kaneria

Kaneria further said that Samson has no one but himself to blame for not being picked for the Asia Cup as he has not performed well in the opportunities he has received. Danish Kaneria said:

“Sanju Samson will once again have to carry drinks. While many would say he has been treated unfairly, I disagree with that. He was given enough chances, which he needed to grab them with both hands. You have to perform if you want to be retained in the team.”

Asia Cup 2023 will be played from Wednesday, August 30, to Sunday, September 17. A total of six teams will feature in the marquee tournament, which consists of 13 matches.

India will open their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday, September 2, in the 3rd match of the event at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele.

India’s Asia Cup squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna. Traveling stand-by player: Sanju Samson