'Sanju Samson will sit out...': Ajinkya Rahane's bold prediction on Indian openers in Asia Cup 2025 goes viral

India veteran Ajinkya Rahane believes that Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will most likely open for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side in the Asia Cup 2025. Gill, who recently captained India in the five-Test match series of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 has been added to India's Asia Cup 2025 squad as Suryakumar Yadav's deputy.

After Gill's inclusion in India's squad, one of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma has to make way for him as an opener for the Asia Cup. However, Rahane, who personally wants to see Samson opening for India, feels that Gill will take his spot and open India's batting alongside Abhishek Sharma.

“Shubman is back in the team, I’m sure he is most likely to open with Abhishek Sharma. Personally, I would like to see Sanju Samson in the team because he has done really well. He is a very confident guy, a very good team man, and that is very important” said Rahane on his YouTube channel.

Rahane added that while Samson brings great value to the side, it is probable he might miss out.

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“Sanju is a great team man, but that is a very good problem to have for the team management. In my opinion, probably Sanju Samson will sit out, though, as I said, I would like him to play and be in the playing XI. But Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will open the innings for the team.”The former cricketer also highlighted his excitement about India’s pace attack. “I’m really excited to see Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh bowling together in this Asia Cup. We all know how dangerous Bumrah is.

Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to start from September 9, and India will start their campaign the next day against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. The high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash will take place on September 14 at the same venue.

Rahane’s predicted XI: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy/Harshit Rana.

India’s squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar 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

Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel