With the Asia Cup just days a week away, India’s team selection is getting tricky. Vice-captain Shubman Gill is almost confirmed to open the batting with left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma, which puts Sanju Samson’s place under pressure.
For the past year, Samson has opened with Abhishek and has been in top form, smashing three T20I centuries in 2024. However, Tilak Varma has also made the number 3 spot his own in recent matches, making this a tough call for the selectors.
Tilak Varma at No 3
Tilak has quickly established himself as one of India’s most reliable young batters. The 22-year-old combines maturity with fearless stroke play, and his ability to both anchor and accelerate makes him a strong choice at No.3. In the 2024-25 season, Varma piled up 413 runs in just 9 innings with an exceptional strike rate of 170.66, which included two centuries and a fifty.
For India in T20Is, his No.3 numbers are even more impressive: 443 runs in 13 matches at an average of 55.37. Even in the IPL, the Mumbai Indians young batter has shown promise at this position, although in a smaller sample size.
Samson, on the other hand, brings experience and explosiveness. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from T20Is, Samson has been a regular face in the squad since August 2024. However, his international numbers at No 3 are limited, with just 33 runs in 3 matches.
Interestingly, his IPL record at this position tells a different story. Across 94 innings at No 3 in the IPL, he has scored over 3000 runs at an average of 38.22 and a strike rate of 143.33, including three centuries and 20 fifties.
In the most recent IPL season, he added 285 runs in 9 innings at a strike rate of 140.53, once again proving his consistency in the shorter format.
Innings
Runs
Avg
SR
100s
50s
94
3096
38.22
143.33
3
20
[Sanju Samson at no 3 in IPL]
Tilak Varma vs Sanju Samson in T20Is
Player
Innings
Runs
Avg
SR
Tilak Varma
13
443
55.37
169.73
Sanju Samson
3
33
11
126.92
Who Has The Edge?
At the international level, Tilak Varma is ahead. His recent form at No 3 has been outstanding, and he looks set to be India’s long-term option in that role. Sanju Samson, though, cannot be ignored, his IPL record at No 3 is far superior and shows he can win matches single-handedly.
For the Asia Cup 2025, the decision boils down to whether India back Tilak’s current international form or trusts Samson’s experience and proven IPL record.
![Tilak Varma vs Sanju Samson [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1756885794327_Tilak_Varma_vs_Sanju_Samson.jpg?type=hq)
Tilak Varma vs Sanju Samson [Source: AFP].jpg)
