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"A Good Headache": Gavaskar Happy To Have Gill-Samson Confusion For Asia Cup

Soumyajit Dutta

Sunil Gavaskar on Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson [Source: @happy_sadat/X.com]Sunil Gavaskar on Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson [Source: @happy_sadat/X.com]

As Shubman Gill has been selected as the vice captain for the Asia Cup 2025, experts debated Hardik Pandya's demotion, Gill's eligibility where players like Jaiswal stand strong for T20 knocks, yet Gill comes out to be the top choice of the think tank. Notably, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar fully endorsed the decision, pointing to Gill’s proven track record in the shortest format while also addressing the No. 3 confusion with Sanju Samson's inclusion.

Gavaskar Backs Gill As Deputy For Asia Cup

Speaking in a candid conversation, Gavaskar backed Shubman Gill's inclusion in the squad as well as his role as the vice-captain, citing his leadership qualities in the Gujarat Titans.

“He has been very successful in the T20 format in the IPL, so there is no question that he has got the capability. In the kind of form that he is in, where he has scored more than 750 (754) runs in the Test series against England and the way he batted in the IPL while captaining Gujarat Titans, it really augurs well. Having him back in the team was a no-brainer. He was part of the Indian team earlier too,” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network.

Gill's Inclusion Intensifies The Samson Debate

Gill’s inclusion intensifies the competition for places, forcing a tough choice between the explosive Sanju Samson and the proven finisher Jitesh Sharma for the wicketkeeper-batter slot. Gavaskar views this as a positive problem for the selectors.

“It’s a very good headache to have for any selection committee that you have two capable batters and somebody like Sanju who can maybe even bat at No. 3 and if needed, come down to No. 6 as a finisher. Of course, Jitesh has also done well in the IPL,” Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar suggested that Samson is likely to get the first opportunity to cement his place in the playing XI.

“My feeling is that maybe Samson will probably get the nod ahead of Jitesh for at least the first couple of games, and then, depending on what his form is for the rest of the tournament, they can decide on who plays. But if you pick somebody like Samson in the team, you can’t leave him out,” Gavaskar added.

No Place For Jitesh Sharma?

The batting great also proposed a potential reshuffle in the middle order, with Samson at three and Tilak Varma taking on a finisher’s role.

“They might even be thinking in terms of having Samson at No. 3 and having Tilak as a finisher at No. 5 or No. 6. Hardik is there too, who will probably be batting 5 or 6,” he explained.

While the batting order remains a juggernaut for the think tank to tackle, Samson is likely to appear in the Playing XI of India for the sub-continental mega tournament, whether as a finisher or as a No. 3 batter.