Selection headache: Samson, Iyer and a problem of plenty for India

MUMBAI: Indian cricket is so rich in talent that breaking into the national team is not straightforward. Overlapping schedules make marginal selections look unconvincing. Every exclusion provokes strong reactions.

- Rasesh Mandani [e-mail]

Sanju Samson's case is a classic example. Shubman Gill's T20I recall threatened to push Samson out of the eleven, although India accommodated the wicketkeeper batter in the Asia Cup tournament opener against UAE in Dubai on Wednesday. Will Samson, who appeared to belatedly find his bearings as opener with Abhishek Sharma, get a long rope? Last month, it was Shreyas Iyer who was in focus after his omission from the Asia Cup squad.

The in-form batter was also ignored for the Test series in England.

Next week, he will captain India A in two 4-day matches against Australia A in Lucknow.

Shreyas not being selected hogged the headlines after he had led Punjab Kings to runners-up finish last IPL. He was prolific with the bat, following up on his strong run in India's ODI Champions Trophy win.

Shreyas being picked for India A just before the home Tests against West Indies suggests he is back in contention for a comeback. However, that has little to do with the criticism of his Asia Cup omission.