Sanju Samson is at the center of India’s Asia Cup selection drama. With the T20I squad announcement expected on Tuesday in Mumbai, speculation is rife over Samson’s spot. The 25-year-old, who has scored three centuries in his last 12 T20Is, has been a reliable opener. However, Shubman Gill’s strong performances in the recent Test series against England have reignited calls for his inclusion in the T20I squad.
Samson’s inclusion as an opener or middle-order batter is uncertain. If Gill is selected in the top order, Samson could be pushed down to number five or potentially left out. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra warned that dropping Samson or moving him down the order “would not be a good story” for the Kerala star.
Selection Dilemma: Opener or Middle Order?
Chopra highlighted the challenges in squad balance, noting that India did not include a third opener in the recent T20I series against England. “If Shubman Gill becomes the third opener, in whose place will you play him? If that player is Sanju Samson, who will keep?” he said. Samson’s move to the middle order is also seen as impractical since Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma occupy key positions at numbers three and four.
Chopra further questioned whether Gill fits into a destructive batting setup, unlike Yashasvi Jaiswal, who he believes suits India’s attacking DNA naturally. This raises further doubts about Samson’s role and the team’s strategy, making his Asia Cup future a major talking point among fans and cricket experts alike.
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