Former India head coach Ravi Shastri does not want a last-minute change to the opening combination ahead of the T20 Asia Cup 2025. Shastri wants team management to continue with Sanju Samson as Abhishek Sharma's opening partner. If Shubman Gill makes it to playing XI, Shastri wants him to replace someone other than Samson.
"He [Samson] is most dangerous in the top three. That's where he wins you matches. He should be left there. It [replacing Samson for Gill] won't be that easy. Samson has a strong record for India at the top in T20s. Even Gill will find it tough to displace him. Gill may come in for someone else, but Samson should be left alone as opener," Shastri said during a media interaction.
"Samson should continue playing the way he has for India in T20s. He has been consistent at the top with big runs and hundreds," he added.
Samson’s recent form and record as opener
Samson found form in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) 2025 for Kochi Blue Tigers. He scored 368 runs from five innings at an average of 73.60 and strike rate of 186.80. He scored a century and three fifties in the recently concluded tournament.
The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has done well since he has been promoted to the opening spot in T20Is. So far, he has scored three centuries as opener in T20Is. From 17 games as opener, he has scored 520 runs at an average of 31.76 and strike rate of 178.76.
Gill’s T20I record
On the other hand, Gill's last T20I appearance was against Sri Lanka more than a year ago. From 21 T20Is, he has scored 578 runs at an average of 30.42 and strike rate of 139.27. He has a century and three fifties in T20Is. While Shastri does not want Gill to replace Samson as opener, the Test captain has never batted at any other position in T20Is.
Why Gill replacing Varma can be a tough call?
The only batter Gill can replace in the batting lineup is Tilak Varma. If Suryakumar Yadav bats at no.4, he can bat Gill at no.3. However, Varma is currently ranked no.2 in ICC T20I batter rankings and has statistics to support his claim. From 25 T20Is, the 22-year-old has scored 749 runs at an average of 49.93 and strike rate of 155.07, including two centuries and three fifties. His best has come at no.3. From 13 innings, he has scored 443 runs. His strike rate increases to 169.73 at no.3 as well.