Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in the wicketkeeper-better debate before the 2025 Asia Cup, which is scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE. Gavaskar said that Sanju Samson should join India’s initial XI and said that Jitesh Sharma’s strong look is a “good headache” for the selectors.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma India’s favorite opening pair has been formed in T20I since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Sharma tops the ICC T20I batting rankings, while Samson is one of only three Indian batsmen with three or more T20i centuries.
However, Shubman Gill has been named the vice-captain of India’s T20I team. Their inclusion is likely to interrupt the combination of opening the Samson-Shama, which is placed under the investigation of Samson.
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You can’t leave Sanju Samson out in the store – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar believes that it has been included Shubman Gill As the new T20I vice-captain of India can force the selectors to make a place except Rinku Singh or Shivam Dubey.
While Jitesh Sharma will travel as India’s backup wicketkeeper after a strong performance in IPL and domestic cricket, he is considered for the role of low order. Gavaskar said that Sanju Samson should not be demolished by playing.
“If you take a person like Sanju Samson in the core team, you cannot leave him in the store,” Gavaskar was said by PTI.
“Yes, I think it is a very good headache for any selection committee that you have two competent batsmen and someone like Sanju Samson may be batting in three and if needed, come down on six as a finisher.
Sanju Samson will probably get a node in front of Jitesh Sharma – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar Said that Samson should start to play beyond Jitesh Sharma for the initial Games. He also said that with Exer Patel being able to bowl a full quota of the overs, players like Rinku Singh and Shivam Dubey may have to wait long for their opportunity.
“But my feeling is that perhaps Samson will probably get a node of Jitesh for the least the first couple. And then, depending on what his form is for the rest of the tournament. But this is what I think will happen.”
Gavaskar said, “There is a possibility of playing on this side as a left -handed player with Exer Patel and someone who can bowl a good four overs, seems to have to wait a little before getting a chance.”
Sanju Samson in red-hot form as T20i opener of India
Sanju Samson T20i has been in sensational form as opener. He scored 522 runs in 17 innings on an average of 32.63 with a strike rate of 178.77, including three centuries. However, the inclusion of Shubman Gill has raised questions in the location of Samson to play XI in India’s Asia Cup.
Enjoyed incredible success with Gill Gujarat Titans (GT) IPL 2025, 650 runs at an average of 50 and strike rate of 155.87 in 15 games. He carried out his pace in the England Test series, with 754 runs above 75, including four centuries.
India will enter the Asia Cup on one high, which won five consecutive T20I series since the 2024 World Cup win, winning 17 out of 20 matches. India is placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Oman and UAE. He will face UAE in his opener in Dubai on 10 September.
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