"He wins you matches"- Ravi Shastri backs Sanju Samson over Shubman Gill as opener in Asia Cup 2025

Ravi Shastri said that Sanju Samson should continue playing as opener for India.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri backed Sanju Samson to open the innings for the Indian Cricket Team in the Asia Cup 2025. He also added that Shubman Gill should take someone else’s batting slot during the tournament.

Samson played as an opener with Abhishek Sharma during India’s previous T20I series against England earlier this year. Not only this, he also slammed three centuries while playing as an opener last year.

But the return of Gill in T20Is after a gap of one year as a vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025 might affect Sanju. The test skipper is highly likely to grab the opening slot with Abhishek Sharma during the tournament, meaning that Samson will be forced to move down the order.

Sanju Samson is most dangerous in the top three: Ravi Shastri

Speaking to the media, Shastri said that Samson is a dangerous batsman at the top and he should play as an opener. He also noted that Gill will find it challenging to replace him as an opener.

“He [Samson] is most dangerous in the top three. That’s where he wins you matches. He should be left there. It [replacing Samson for Gill] won’t be that easy. Samson has a strong record for India at the top in T20s. Even Gill will find it tough to displace him,” he said.

“Gill may come in for someone else, but Samson should be left alone as opener. Samson should continue playing the way he has for India in T20s. He has been consistent at the top with big runs and hundreds,” he added.

It will be interesting to see what position Samson will get in the Asia Cup 2025 after Gill’s return. Tilak Varma is a strong contender at the one-down position. In the lower-order, India have powerful finishers like Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, and Rinku Singh in the squad.

Meanwhile, the Asia Cup 2025 will begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India will face the UAE in their opening game on September 10 in Dubai. They are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman.

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