Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to open the innings for India in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Speaking at a recent media interaction, Shastri said that Samson is at his most dangerous in the top order and should not be shifted from that role.
“He [Samson] is most dangerous in the top three. That’s where he wins you matches. He should be left there. It [replacing Samson for Gill] won’t be that easy. Samson has a strong record for India at the top in T20s. Even Gill will find it tough to displace him. Gill may come in for someone else, but Samson should be left alone as opener. Samson should continue playing the way he has for India in T20s. He has been consistent at the top with big runs and hundreds,” Shastri said.
Samson has been in excellent form of late, scoring three centuries in his last 10 T20I innings. In the IPL 2025 season, he registered 285 runs in nine matches at an average of 35.63 and a strike rate of 140.39. Overall, in his T20I career, the Kerala batter has represented India in 42 matches, scoring 861 runs at a strike rate of 152.38, with three hundreds and two fifties, including a best of 111.
Shastri further explained that while Shubman Gill is a proven performer, finding a place for him might not necessarily come at Samson’s expense. “Even Gill will find it tough to displace him. Gill may come in for someone else,” he said, suggesting that India might need to adjust their batting order rather than move Samson.
Looking ahead to the conditions in Dubai, Shastri also stressed on the role of spinners in the tournament.
“Given the conditions in Dubai and the heat, spin will definitely be the flavour of the month. Teams like Afghanistan might even play four spinners. Whether it’s two or three, it depends on balance, but spinners will certainly be in big demand in Dubai. You need both finger spin and wrist spin. India has that luxury, and they’ll all come into play depending on conditions,” Shastri added.
The Asia Cup begins on September 9 in the UAE.
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