![Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson [Source: AFP Media]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1755678271994_gill_samson.jpg?type=mq)
Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson [Source: AFP Media]
India's squad for the Asia Cup has been announced, and it has set the stage for one of the most intriguing selection battles for the management. With Suryakumar Yadav leading the team, and Abhishek Sharma guaranteed to open, the question arises: who will be his partner?
The choice boils down to specifically two players - Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson. While one of them represents solidity and consistency, the other stands as a representation of dynamism but volatility.
T20I Experience
When it comes to experience at the highest level, Sanju Samson, with 42 matches, has a clear advantage over Shubman Gill. In his T20I career, Samson has scored 861 runs at a strike rate of 152.38 with three centuries under his belt.
Recently, Samson showed his ability to play big knocks in the international arena. While he scored three hundreds in a span of five innings, in the other two knocks, he was dismissed for ducks. This shows the volatility that comes with a Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter.
On the other hand, Gill has played only 21 T20 matches in the international arena. In these matches, he has scored at a strike rate of 139.27. While his scoring rate is considerably lower than Samson's, he averages nearly five runs more per match. This gives stability and solidity when Gill is a part of the composition.
IPL 2025: Contrasting Fortunes
The recent IPL season has painted a different picture for both players. While Gill emerged as GT's batting cornerstone, scoring 650 runs at an exceptional average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.87.
His six fifties in 15 matches showed brilliant consistency while scoring at a reasonable rate. The way his scoring rate has improved in the format looks suited to India's current T20I batting philosophy.
On the other hand, Samson's 2025 campaign proved to be challenging. The injury bug kept him away from action, and he could play only nine matches, where he scored 295 runs at a strike rate of 140.39.
India's Aggressive Blueprint
Since Gautam Gambhir has taken over the role of the head-coach, India have gone in with an ultra-aggressive batting approach in the T20Is. This philosophy demands openers who can provide explosive starts without being too concerned about consistency.
Sanju's T20I career strike rate of 152.39 aligns with this aggressive template on paper. His proven ability to clear boundaries and take full advantage of the powerplay fielding restrictions makes him an attractive option.
The Leadership Factor
Shubman Gill has been appointed as vice-captain of the Asia Cup 2025 squad. This signals the Indian management's long-term vision. His leadership credentials, combined with recent form, suggest that the team views him as an asset irrespective of the format.
With the tactical flexibility he offers, the ability to anchor while being aggressive and his leadership credentials, Gill looks like a good option to be partnered with Abhishek Sharma.
Conclusion
Shubman Gill presents a great case for himself as the second opener for India along with Abhishek Sharma. However, Sanju Samson has been a part of the setup for the last few months and has delivered as per the demands. While his current form is not great, Samson's ability to impact the game early with his power-hitting and the way he has gelled with the composition, he should be the option India go with.
