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Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has strongly advocated for Sanju Samson's inclusion in India's playing eleven for the Asia Cup 2025, especially after star batter's Following his remarkable batting display in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL), . Gavaskar believes Samson's prolific scoring has made him a compelling candidate for the squad.
Sunil Gavaskar picks Sanju Samson's batting position for Asia Cup
The former captain has proposed a specific role for Samson, suggesting he should bat at the number three position, following openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. This endorsement is backed by Samson's sensational form in the KCL, where he registered scores of 121, 89, 62, and 83 in his four most recent innings.
This presents a selection dilemma for the team's management. With Shubman Gill set to return as vice-captain, he is expected to secure his opening slot with Abhishek Sharma. Consequently, the team must decide whether to fit Samson into the top order or select Jitesh Sharma, who is more experienced in the specialized role of a finisher.
"If you take somebody like Sanju Samson in the core team, then you can't leave him out in the reserves," Gavaskar told told media, as quoted 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.
The former India captain believes that Samson will get a chance to play in at least a few matches in the Asia Cup, given that India's campaign begins against the UAE on September 10.
"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," Gavaskar further stated.
This situation presents a strategic challenge for the team. In recent years, both Tilak Varma and captain Suryakumar Yadav have established themselves in the crucial No. 3 and No. 4 batting positions. Given this, it raises the question of how Sanju Samson can be accommodated at the top of the order, especially since the middle order is not his preferred batting position.
"But that is why I think maybe they might even be thinking in terms of having him (Samson) at number three and having Tilak as a finisher at five or six. Because Hardik (Pandya) is in your team as well. So, Hardik will probably be batting at five or six again. One among Rinku or Dube has to sit out," he concluded.
India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
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