Asia Cup 2025: Sunil Gavaskar sides with Sanju Samson and ‘Not leaving him out’ from the Playing XI

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar believes if someone with the level of Sanju Samson is taken as a part of India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, then he for sure cannot be kept out when it is time to select the playing XI. Gavaskar wants the Kerala-born to bat at No.3 behind Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.

Once Shubman Gill returned to the T20 side as the vice-captain, it was already considered sure that he would get the opening slot. The team management now faces the tricky situation- whether to keep Sanju Samson in the Playing XI in top numbers or bring Jitesh Sharma as a finisher.

“If you take somebody like Sanju Samson in the core team, then you can’t leave him out in the reserves. Yes, I think it’s a very good headache to have for any selection committee that you have two capable batters and somebody like Sanju Samson who can maybe even bat at three and if needed come down at six as a finisher. And Jitesh has also done well in the recently concluded IPL where he’s played exceedingly well. So yes, I think it’s a pleasant headache for the tour selection committee,” Gavaskar said during an interaction.

With India playing their series opener against United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 10, Sunil Gavaskar believes that even if nothing, Sanju Samson will at least get a couple of matches in the tournament.

“My feeling is that maybe Samson will probably get the nod ahead of Jitesh for at least the first couple of games. And then depending on what his form is for the rest of the tournament. But this is what I think will happen,” Gavaskar said.