The Indian cricket team held an alternative practice session on Tuesday, September 9, ahead of its Asia Cup 2025 opener against UAE. Players Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah left the session, while Abhishek Sharma and Vice-captain Shubman Gill were impressed by their batting performance in the nets.
Management and head coach Gautam Gambhir will have to take an important selection decision about the wicket-keeper in XI. Sanju Samson Shubman Gill is in a challenging position after appointing Gill as the vice-captain of the T20I side. Gill is likely to attend India’s first match as a opener.
Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson left India’s alternative practice session
According to a PTI report, senior players Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson and Harshit Rana decided to take a break during India’s alternative training session at the ICC Academy.
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Since it was an alternative session, his absence did not raise concerns. However, Sanju Samson’s absence attracted attention, as he was not much involved with the main group of batsmen during the practice.
Samson is India’s T20I opener for the last one year, but is in danger of being sidelined. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) cricketer Jitesh Sharma, in a low-medium order, is a wicket and a possible option to bat as a finisher. Sharma impressed his batting performance in IPL 2025.
Abhishek Sharma stole the show with a brilliant net session
Young left -arm Abhishek Sharma was present during Tuesday’s practice session. Sharma demonstrated extraordinary hand-eye coordination, which sent delivery beyond the nets.
Abhishek converted the practice trap into a “range-touching” exhibition, cleaning at least 25 to 30 sixes. Shubman Gill also appeared in excellent touch during the session, playing accelerated bowlers elegant through additional cover and displaying their trademark grace and time.
However, a rapid delivery from a local net bowler broke Gill’s defense and uprooted the off-stump. The report stated that it was the only defect in an otherwise polished batting session.
Team India to start Asia Cup 2025 campaign on 10 September
Sanju Samson is a inaugural batsman since the 2024 T20 World Cup, forming a devastating partnership with Abhishek Sharma. Samson has scored three centuries in its last 12 T20I, with a strike rate of 37.90 with a strike rate of 183.70.
Overall, Samson has scored 522 runs in 17 innings as an opener in T20I, with an average of 32.63 with a strike rate of 178.77. He performed well in the series against Bangladesh, England and South Africa.
Earlier in his career, Samson had limited success when he was given opportunity at the top of the order. His record in the middle order is disappointing, batting at number 5 or less at number 5 or less in an average number of 18.6 with 93 runs in seven innings.
Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India is placed in Group A along with UAE, Oman and Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2025. The Men in Blue launched its campaign with a group-off match against the UAE at Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, September 10.
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