Samson's Demotion In The List: Surprising Tactical Moves Gambhir Could Make In Asia Cup

Major decisions Gambhir could take for Asia Cup [Source: AFP Photo]

India will enter the Asia Cup 2025 as the defending champions and the favourites to clinch the trophy once again. The selectors revealed a strong squad for the marquee event, and India has a young team led by a brilliant leader in Suryakumar Yadav. After winning the Champions Trophy, earlier this year, coach Gautam Gambhir will aim to clinch yet another title.

However, things won't be easy, as the UAE surface will provide a stern test for the batters, and they need to adjust to the conditions quickly. India certainly have all the bases covered, and to win the Asia Cup, Gambhir could make 3 tactical moves, which could expose the opponent.

1) Gill to open, Samson demoted

If reports are to be believed, then Gambhir is planning to slot in the new vice-captain, Shubman Gill, at the top of the order. He is likely to bat alongside Abhishek Sharma at the top, and that would mean Samson might have to get a demotion in the batting order.

Why this move could benefit India

• Gill had an exceptional IPL 2025 campaign, scoring 650 runs, with a strike rate of 155.88. He is riding high on confidence; meanwhile, Samson is coming off an injury break, which he suffered during the IPL, and India are looking to fit in a pair at the opening spot, which did well individually at the top in the IPL.
• Samson's demotion could strengthen the middle-order. He demoted himself to number 5 in the Kerala Cricket League on Thursday, and if he bats at number 5, India would have Tilak Varma at 3, Suryakumar at 4, Samson at 5, and Hardik Pandya as a finisher at 6, which would make the team's batting stronger.

2) Promoting Axar Patel in crunch situations

• We saw what Axar Patel did in the T20 World Cup finale against South Africa. When Virat Kohli was struggling, India promoted him to number 5, and the move paid off. He scored 47 off 31 balls, and it completely shifted the momentum. Even in the Champions Trophy, Gambhir promoted him above KL Rahul at 5, and he played some blinders.
• If India need a left-right combination, Gambhir could use his 'Brahmastra' Axar by moving him up the order. Plus, he has a stellar record at number 5.

(Axar at number 5)

• As the record suggests, he has a strike rate of 138 at number 5. In the UAE conditions, spinners will be in action more than the pacers, and Axar has the quality to take down the spinners, and this is another reason why he could be moved up the order.

3) Going in with three spinners, no place for Harshit

• As stated in the previous point, the UAE conditions are favourable for spinners, and India could be tempted to go in with three spinners in their lineup - Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy. 

(Axar, Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep T20I stats)

• As stated, the trio has stellar numbers in T20I cricket, and in UAE conditions, they would wreak havoc against the opposition.
• Plus, during the Champions Trophy 2025 run, India preferred to go win with 3 or more spinners, and it paid off as the side won the tournament, going unbeaten.
• This move would mean that Harshit Rana would have to sit out, with Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep being the two pacers.

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