Why Gill As Vice-Captain Puts Sanju Samson's Place In Danger In India's Asia Cup Playing XI

Gill and Sanju Samson have been included in Asia Cup squad (Source:@HashTagCricket/X.com)

India's squad for the Asia Cup 2025 is finally out, and selectors have made some interesting decisions. One of those decisions is the appointment of Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of the T20I team. The Indian Test captain last played a T20I in July 2024, and would now directly fit in as an opener in the Asia Cup 2025.

Shubman Gill Likely To Lock Opening Position; Fight Between Abhishek-Samson

Thus, it would disrupt India's opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Both of them have done well individually as well as a pair, but now one of them might be dropped from the playing XI. Out of the two, Sanju Samson's position seems to be in more danger compared to Abhishek Sharma and let's see what the reasons are for it.

Firstly, Abhishek Sharma is in the squad for his ultra-aggressive approach and even scored a century in the last T20I against England. Thus, he is likely to continue opening, and his presence would allow India to go with a right-hand-left-hand combination. Abhishek Sharma also has an advantage in his bowling over Sanju Samson. Abhishek Sharma's dynamic style of play also complements Shubman Gill's steady batting, and all this puts Samson's opening position in danger.

There is an option of demoting Sanju Samson at number 3. However, Samson has not done well at that position for India, and all his runs have come as an opener. Tilak Varma, on the other hand, smashed back-to-back centuries at number 3 against South Africa, and thus his case seems to be stronger to bag that position.

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Comparison Of Samson And Tilak Varma At Number 3 In T20Is

India then have the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel in the middle order. Therefore, the Men in Blue would need a wicketkeeper who is a finisher, and in that role, Jitesh Sharma could fit into the XI in place of Sanju Samson.

Jitesh Sharma Might Get The Nod Because Of His Finishing Skills

Jitesh Sharma performed the role of a finisher to perfection for RCB in IPL 2025 and has the ability to make an impact lower down the order. Samson, on the other hand, is a top-order batter and would be a misfit if he were forced to bat down the order. Also, Sanju Samson was not in the best of form in IPL 2025 and with Gill back at the top, he could miss out on a place in the playing XI.

Comparison Of Sanju Samson And Jitesh Sharma In IPL 2025

Thus, Sanju Samson can play in the Asia Cup if the team management trusts him to open alongside Gill. In that case, Abhishek Sharma might have to bat at three or sit out. There are also slim chances of him batting at 3 in the Asia Cup, but overall, the appointment of Shubman Gill as vice-captain has surely put Sanju Samson's place in the playing XI in danger.

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