Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the wicketkeeper-batter debate ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup, which is set to begin on September 9 in the UAE. Gavaskar stated that Sanju Samson must feature in India’s starting XI and added that Jitesh Sharma’s strong form is a “good headache” for the selectors.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have become India’s preferred opening pair in T20Is since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Sharma is at the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings, while Samson is one of only three Indian batters with three or more T20I centuries.
However, Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain of India’s T20I team. His inclusion is likely to disrupt the Samson-Sharma opening combination, putting Samson’s position under scrutiny.
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You Can’t Leave Sanju Samson Out in the Reserves – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar believes the inclusion of Shubman Gill as India’s new T20I vice-captain could force the selectors to make room by dropping one of Rinku Singh or Shivam Dube.
While Jitesh Sharma will travel as India’s backup wicketkeeper following strong performances in the IPL and domestic cricket, he is considered for a lower-order role. Gavaskar stated that Sanju Samson should not be dropped from the playing XI.
“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.
“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
Sanju Samson Will Probably Get the Nod Ahead of Jitesh Sharma – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar said that Samson should start in the playing XI ahead of Jitesh Sharma for the opening games. He also noted that with Axar Patel able to bowl a full quota of overs, players like Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube may have to wait longer for their opportunity.
“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.”
“And with Axar Patel also likely to play in this side as a left-hander and somebody who can bowl good four overs, it looks like somebody like Rinku and Shivam might have to wait a bit before they get an opportunity,” Gavaskar added.
Sanju Samson in Red-Hot Form as India’s T20I Opener
Sanju Samson has been in sensational form as a T20I opener. He scored 522 runs in 17 innings at an average of 32.63 with a strike rate of 178.77, including three centuries. However, the inclusion of Shubman Gill has raised questions over Samson’s spot in India’s Asia Cup playing XI.
Gill enjoyed incredible success with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2025, scoring 650 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.87 in 15 games. He carried his momentum into the England Test series, amassing 754 runs at an average above 75, including four centuries.
India will enter the Asia Cup on a high, having won five consecutive T20I series since their 2024 World Cup triumph, securing 17 victories out of 20 matches. India has been placed in Group A with Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE. They will face the UAE in their opener on September 10 in Dubai.
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