Asia Cup 2025: Sanju Samson backed to make India Playing XI

The next edition of the Asia Cup stands at the cusp of inception, with the Men in Blue already having kicked off their training sessions. The ACC tournament is slated to begin on September 9 in Abu Dhabi. India, meanwhile, will open their campaign on September 10 against the UAE. As the T20I tournament inches closer, discussions around the India Playing XI have picked up pace. With many capable players in the fray, the debate centers on who will miss out. However, the Indian fraternity has strongly backed Sanju Samson to be included in the Playing XI, even if it requires a shift from his usual batting spot.

"A player like Sanju Samson should not be benched": Gavaskar, Pathan want Samson to make India Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025

The Indian combination in the shorter format has enjoyed a seamless run since a significant transition followed the T20 World Cup win in 2024. Suryakumar Yadav took over the team’s captaincy after seniors Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja bowed out. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal were sidelined from the format as they shifted their focus to a busy Test schedule and the ICC Champions Trophy.

In their absence, youngsters like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma earned spots in the India T20I squad. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson finally got a long rope in the combination, claiming the opening slot in the Playing XI. The phase following the World Cup in India’s cricket calendar saw dominant wins against Bangladesh and England at home. Moreover, the team also thrashed the Proteas in the format on South African soil.

During this period, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma emerged as the top run-scorers for the team. The young opener was recorded as India's highest run-getter in T20Is since the 2024 World Cup. Samson followed next, with three centuries to his credit, while Tilak ranked third. However, when the time came for this combination to play their first marquee tournament, the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, shook up the India squad.

Agarkar named a 15-member India squad for the Asia Cup 2025. The new combination brought Shubman Gill back into the T20I setup after a year. Moreover, the Indian Test captain was handed the vice-captaincy in the shorter format. Gill's induction meant the batting order had to make space for the vice-captain. Meanwhile, Agarkar’s candid admission at the press conference hinted that Sanju Samson might face the axe. The BCCI selection chief explained that Samson had held the opening spot only as a replacement for Gill while the youngster focused on the longer formats.

However, as Asia Cup 2025 nears, Sanju Samson has forced the management to rethink the combination. Samson recently featured in the Kerala Cricket League, showcasing his explosive batting skills with consistent knocks. The Indian opener smashed 368 runs in 5 innings at a strike rate of 186.80, including a century in the KCL. Gill's inclusion essentially means that the India Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025 will feature Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill as the designated openers.

Tilak Varma is expected to slot in at No.3, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav coming in at four. Moving ahead, Jitesh Sharma is tipped to edge Samson in the race for the wicketkeeping role. With Jitesh’s impressive stint for RCB in IPL 2025 and Samson’s usual batting position being at the top, it seems almost certain that Samson will be benched for the ACC tournament.

However, the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan have backed Samson to feature in the India Playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Gavaskar offered a simple but firm take on the matter. According to the former Indian skipper, if a player of Samson's calibre is part of the squad, it makes little sense to keep him glued to the bench. Gavaskar vouched for Samson’s inclusion even if it meant pushing him down the order.

“You don’t take someone like Sanju Samson as a reserve,” Gavaskar said. “If he’s part of your core team, he should be playing. He can slot in at No. 3, or if needed, lower down as a finisher. My sense is that Samson will get the nod ahead of Jitesh, at least for the first couple of matches. What happens after that will depend on form,” he added.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared a similar view on Samson's inclusion in the India Playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025. Pathan suggested that Samson should take the No. 5 spot in the lineup and play ahead of Jitesh Sharma as the wicketkeeper-batsman. In every combination, however, Samson still loses his opening slot to Gill.

“Sanju might not get a place in the Playing XI, it will be hard. But I saw some of the clips where Samson is playing down the order. If he can play down the order, then why not? Play Samson as well in No. 5 position. If that happens, then Jitesh Sharma won't be there,” Pathan said.