New Delhi: Sanju Samson’s cricketing career has been a rollercoaster ride over the years, and Shubman Gill’s selection in the Asia Cup 2025 squad comes as the latest surprising turn in his sporting journey. Samson has been a regular opener for India in recent times, but the arrival of Gill in the T20I setup might put Samson’s place in jeopardy in the playing XI.
Samson has played 17 innings as an opener for India and smashed three centuries and one half-century, scoring 522 runs.
Gill, who opens for his IPL franchise Gujarat Titans, is likely to take the same spot in the Indian colours alongside left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma in the Asia Cup. Gill’s arrival will push Samson down the order, where the team’s other wicket-keeper, Jitesh Sharma, who is a specialist batter in the death overs, will be a better option than Samson.
The wicket-keeper batter is preparing for the Asia Cup by getting some much-needed match practice in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL). After trying his hand at the number six position, where he scored just 13 runs in 22 balls for Kochi Blue Tigers.
However, in the next match, Samson was back at his natural spot and, while opening the innings, hammered 121 runs in just 51 balls with 14 fours and seven sixes. Courtesy of his superb century, his side chased a mammoth 237-run target successfully.
Samson was also awarded the player of the match award. This innings will definitely force the management to think twice before dropping Samson from the playing XI in the Asia Cup 2025.
India squad for Asia Cup 2025
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian team for the first time in a multi-national event. Shubman Gill made his return to the T20I team and will serve as Surya’s deputy in the Asia Cup.
Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakarvarthy have retained their places for the event.
Jitesh Sharma was picked over Dhruv Jurel after his phenomenal performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Washington Sundar and Shreyas Iyer have been left out of the squad despite performing well in recent times.