Where Will Sanju Samson Bat in Asia Cup After Shubman Gill's Return?

The Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement has kept almost every Indian fan on its toes. The tournament will begin on September 9 and will conclude with the final on September 28. Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates will host all the games in the tournament, which will be played in T20I format. Since the last few days, the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025 has been in the news. All the drama finally ended when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the team on Tuesday, August 19.

Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav addressed the press conference at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai and unveiled the team. They announced a 15-member squad with five travelling reserves. With Shubman Gill returning in the T20I team as vice-captain, he will certainly be a sure-shot pick in the Indian XI for the Asia Cup 2025. Since he is a top-order batter, there's no doubt he will be there in the top three, and someone will have to make a way for him, as Shubman is one of the best batsmen in India.

Where will Sanju Samson bat in the Asia Cup 2025 after Shubman Gill's Return?

With Abhishek Sharma being one of the best T20 batters in the world and a left-hander, he will be there at the top. At three, skipper Suryakumar Yadav bats, and hence, only the spot of the second opener is there, where Sanju Samson has been batting. It hints that Shubman Gill will be opening the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson will have to make way for him. In this way, it would be tough for Samson to keep his place even in the XI because if he wants to play, he will have to bat in the lower order, a position he isn't familiar with.
Jitesh Sharma, one of the best finishers in the world, can don the keeping gloves, and this means that Sanju Samson might also get dropped. The chances of him playing any game in the tournament remain low, and if he has to play, he will have to bat at either six or seven. Even during the press conference, Ajit Agarkar mentioned that Sanju Samson got an opportunity to open because Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal were not there. This was possibly a big hint that Samson won't open the innings and will have to bat in the middle or get dropped. It still leaves a lot of questions around where will Sanju Samson bat for India in the Asia Cup 2025.

Sanju Samson has been among the best batters for India in the last year

Sanju Samson, since last year, has been amongst the best batters for India in T20Is. Ever since he has been asked to open, he has unleashed his best mode as he slammed runs consistently. Even during the South Africa tour, he hammered two tons. If he is asked to bat in the middle order or will get dropped, it would be unfair for him. Since Gautam Gambhir believes in giving clarity to players, it is expected that there will be proper communication with him related to his batting position.

Coming to the Asia Cup 2025, India will open their campaign in the tournament against the UAE on 10th September. After that, they will face Pakistan on September 14 before locking horns with Oman in their last league game.