'There is one question mark in terms of his consistency...': Irfan Pathan's blunt take on Sanju Samson vs Jitesh Shama debate for Asia Cup 2025

Former India speedster believes that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma, who flexed his form in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, can hold the edge over Sanju Samson in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

The management picked Shubman Gill in India's Asia Cup squad as Suryakumar Yadav's deputy, and he will most likely open the innings with his state-mate Abhishek Sharma. The dilemma would be to pick one from Sanju and Jitesh to perform in the middle order.

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Irfan Pathan believes that Sanju Samson lacks consistency as an opener, and with Shubman Gill's inclusion in the squad, he suggested that India can go with the Gill-Abhishek duo as openers and Jitesh Sharma as the finisher because he can bat in the middle order.

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"It’s a tough one. Isn’t it? If you look at it, Sanju has done really well. Obviously, there is one question mark in terms of his consistency. He was scoring hundreds, and then he was getting out cheaply, and there was a pattern as well, but he has done well. On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma, because he can bowl as well, and he got an outstanding strike rate. So, Abhishek Sharma will be there for sure. I think because Jitesh Sharma has got into the side, now they have the option to have Shubman Gill and keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma in the playing XI," Irfan told CricTracker in a conversation arranged by Sony Sports Network.

Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to start from September 9. Team India will start their campaign the next day against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. The high-voltage clash of the Asia Cup 2025 between India and Pakistan will take place on September 14 at the same venue. India will face Oman for their last group stage fixture which will take place in Abu Dhabi.

Team India 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

Reserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.