Asia Cup 2023: 5 players who can face shocking exclusion from India squad

The official countdown for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup began on August 9th. With the announcement of the Final schedule and ticket sales information, we're about to embark on an exciting time period leading into the World Cup. And as always India starts as a favourite and also this time by virtue of being the host. 

This time just before the World Cup, Asian countries will participate in the 50-over Asia Cup jointly hosted by Pakistan and Srilanka. The World Cup participating nations from Asia will look at this as an opportunity to settle their final frontier for CWC. The conditions in the subcontinent are quite similar, pitches do play a certain way. 

In a few days' time, BCCI is expected to announce India's squad for Asia Cup starting from this month's end. We will get to see a clear picture from the selectors' vision. The core group may look familiar considering they're injury free. We may see Ajit Agarkar taking some tough calls which may end this World Cup's dream for some cricketers. 

5. Sanju Samson 

Sanju Samson is among the names that trend on social media every time Indian Squad gets announced. Such is the craze, love and affection for the Keralaite. Sanju plays as a middle-order batter for the Indian cricket team who could also do the wicketkeeping duties when needed. He gives the team management a regular keeper option over KL Rahul say, who keeps very rarely. 

Samson is a good player of spin, he averages higher than all his counterparts in recent times. As the matches will be in the subcontinent, spin bowlers will play a crucial role in the middle phase. And when Sanju is in a mood, his shots are a treat to the eyes, such is his batting flair. 

But he may miss out on the Indian Squad for the Asia Cup. With the backing of so many competitive List A games, he still has underperformed. He may miss out to Ishan Kishan, who's performing exceedingly well of late.