6th September, Saturday: Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary former Indian cricketer, believes that Sanju Samson cannot be left out of India's playing XI for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.
Samson enjoyed his tenure at the top of the order since Gautam Gambhir was appointed head coach. He has amassed over 400 runs in 14 Twenty20 Internationals under Gambhir, solidifying his bid for a permanent position. Nevertheless, Samson's position has been questioned since Shubman Gill the team's vice-captain returned. Samson may be forced out of the starting lineup if Gill, who has been reliable as an opener in the IPL, regains his position. Gavaskar though thinks it would be a mistake to drop Samson. He recommended that Samson's versatility be used by the management either at No. Down the order 3 or lower.
PTI reported that Gavaskar ahead of the tournament said, "If you take somebody like Sanju Samson in the core team, then you can't leave him out in the reserves," he also added, "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,"
Samson's numbers are aligned with Gavaskar's comment. Across 134 innings at No. 3 in domestic and franchise cricket, the right-hander has scored 4,136 runs at an average of 35 and a strike-rate of 137, including 31 fifties and five centuries. He has grown into a strong batsman who can easily clear the ropes over the years, which makes him useful in both top-order and finisher roles. Gavaskar also proposed that Samson, who excelled as a finisher in the previous IPL season, be given wicketkeeping responsibilities instead of Jitesh Sharma.
"But 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.
A potential batting order that would enable Samson to bat at no.3 was even suggested by the former captain of India, while Hardik Pandya delivers the final blow, followed by Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma.
