Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has asserted that Sanju Samson should not be left out of India’s playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, starting Tuesday, September 9. Since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach, Samson has enjoyed a consistent run at the top of the order.
In 14 T20Is under Gambhir, the Kerala batter has scored over 400 runs, bolstering his case for a permanent spot. However, with Shubman Gill returning as vice-captain, Samson’s place is under scrutiny. Gill, who has been in excellent form in the IPL as an opener, is expected to reclaim his position, potentially displacing Samson.
Gavaskar, however, believes omitting Samson would be a misstep. He recommended that the team management leverage Samson’s versatility, either by slotting him at No. 3 or further down the batting order.
“If you take somebody like Sanju Samson in the core team, then you can’t leave him out in the reserves,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by PTI ahead of the tournament.
“Yes, I think it’s a very good headache to have for any selection committee that you have two capable batters and somebody like Sanju Samson who can maybe even bat at three and if needed come down at six as a finisher. And Jitesh has also done well in the recently concluded IPL, where he’s played exceedingly well. So yes, I think it’s a pleasant headache for the tour selection committee,” he added.
Samson’s Consistent Performance Makes Him Key Contender For India’s Top Order
Samson’s performance supports Gavaskar’s suggestion. In 134 innings at No. 3 in domestic and franchise cricket, the right-handed batsman has scored 4,136 runs at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 137, including 31 fifties and five centuries. Over the years, he has become a strong hitter who can easily clear the boundary, making him valuable both at the top of the order and as a finisher.
Sunil Gavaskar also suggested that Sanju Samson could take on the wicketkeeping role instead of Jitesh Sharma, who impressed with his finishing abilities in the previous IPL season.
“But my feeling is that maybe Samson will probably get the nod ahead of Jitesh for at least the first couple of games. And then, depending on what his form is for the rest of the tournament. But this is what I think will happen,” Gavaskar said.
The former India captain even proposed a potential batting lineup that would accommodate Samson at No. 3, followed by Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, with Hardik Pandya taking on the role of the finisher.
“But that is why I think maybe they might even be thinking in terms of having him (Samson) at number three and having Tilak as a finisher at five or six. Because Hardik (Pandya) is in your team as well. So, Hardik will probably be batting at five or six again.”
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
