Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has made a bold statement on the Shubman Gill vs Sanju Samson debate ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 starting on 9 September at UAE. Shubman Gill returned to India’s T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025 as Vice-Captain after more than a year.
Gill is expected to open batting with left -arm Abhishek Sharma in the upcoming continental tournament. The Indian Test captain has consecutively opened for Gujarat Titans in the IPL, and then his brilliant performance in the five -match Test series against England, where he scored 754 runs as captains, promoted his reputation as a opener.
Ravi Shastri supports Sanju Samson despite Shubman Gill’s T20I return
The return of the right -handed batter in the T20I team has played the role of Sanju Samson in a serious threat in XI, India. Sanju Samson has been a reliable opener since last year’s T20 World Cup, scoring with an average three centuries of 34.75 and a strike rate of 182.89.
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There is speculation that Samson will be dropped in the order of batting to bring back to the top with Shubman Gill with Abhishek Sharma. However, Ravi Shastri believes that Sanju Samson should continue to open an innings for men in Blue in the upcoming tournament.
The former Indian head coach has called Samson a dangerous and deadly batsman who can win the match for India. Shastri also feels that Gill will face a challenge in place of Samson in the batting order, given the stability and impact of Kerala batter.
He is a deadly and match-winner: Ravi Shastri on Sanju Samson
Ravi Shastri was quoted by Hindu saying: “Samson is the most dangerous at the top. This is the place where he can win the match. If he sets fire to any innings, he wins the match. He is the best at the top.”
He further said, “Even when you look at Samson’s record for India in T20Is at the top of the order, a person like Shubman will be challenged. He can come for someone else, but I think Samson should be left alone. that’s dangerous, HE is fatal, and HE is a match-winner,
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Ravi Shastri feels that Shubman Gill has everything to lead India
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team management is preparing Gill for the future for big responsibilities. His frequent performance and impressive leadership are seen as qualities that can make him a long -term leader in formats.
Reducing the rise of Punjab Lad, Shastri believes that if a player lives an important part of the XI and performs well in all formats, there is no reason that he should not lead the team in all formats.
Shastri signed, saying, “If a player can ensure that he is in XI and becomes an important cog in all formats, in every way. If a person is quite good, there is nothing that prevents a man from being a leader from being a leader.”
In particular, in the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, eight teams will see – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman and Hong Kong will compete for the title. India will launch its campaign against UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, September 10, 10.
