ODI World Cup 2023: Top 3 shocking exclusions from Indian squad

2. Sanju Samson

One of the most surprising exclusions in the Indian World Cup 2023 squad in the batting department was Sanju Samson. The Kerala cricketer has always been on the cusp of cementing his place in the Indian team for the long run but has been usurped by a few who have been statistically better. 

This time around, the BCCI selectors went with KL Rahul, who recently attained full fitness clearance from the NCA as he was troubled by a groin niggle, as one of the wicketkeeping options. The other option, Ishan Kishan, who has been in sublime form with the bat with four consecutive half-centuries in ODIs and being a left-hander, gives the Indian team an advantage as well in the middle order against opposition spinners. 

Samson will find himself unlucky not to be picked in the World Cup squad, given that he was seen as one of the keeping-batter options alongside Kishan and Rahul.