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"He was uncomfortable": Shashi Tharoor wants Sanju Samson restored as opener in T20Is

Akshita Patel

Sanju Samson receives support from veteran politician [Source: @ShashiTharoor, @Sports_Himanshu/X.com]Sanju Samson receives support from veteran politician [Source: @ShashiTharoor, @Sports_Himanshu/X.com]

India celebrated a historic win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, but veteran politician Shashi Tharoor has raised questions about the team’s batting order. Tharoor suggested that Sanju Samson should have opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma instead of being pushed down the lineup.

Ahead of the tournament, Samson, who hit 3 centuries as a T20I opener in 2024, was pushed to no.5 to make space for vice-captain Shubman Gill in the top order. However, the move didn’t sit right with many fans, including MP Tharoor.

Shashi Tharoor chooses Sanju Samson over Shubman Gill as opener

After India beat Pakistan in Dubai to clinch the Asia Cup 2025 title, Congress MP from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor, congratulated the team for their victory. However, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram openly backed fellow Malayali Sanju Samson.

He said that Samson should have opened with Abhishek Sharma, given their past success. Moreover, Gill’s promotion also didn’t prove fruitful, as he was largely mediocre throughout the tournament.

Shashi Tharoor's tweet [Source: @ShashiTharoor/X.com]Shashi Tharoor's tweet [Source: @ShashiTharoor/X.com]

For context, Shubman Gill scored 127 runs in 7 innings in the Asia Cup 2025 with a 21.16 average, while Sanju Samson hammered 132 runs in just 5 innings in the middle order with a 33.00 average.

The shuffle was criticised further when Samson was dropped to no.8 during India’s Super Four game against Bangladesh.

However, with India winning the title, all things are sidelined for the moment, and Samson’s future in this T20I setup is also doubtful.

Samson opens up on his true feelings after winning the Asia Cup

Sanju Samson expressed his delight after guiding India in a tense Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. Coming in with India three down in the powerplay, Samson asserted he liked the pressure and played down nerves. 

"Yeah, I really enjoyed the pressure actually. I have not played many India-Pakistan games, but today, I think the pressure was all over there. Three wickets down in the powerplay, so I just had to use my experience, calm the nerves down, and just watch the ball and react. That's what I did, and it came off nicely. I think I had a really good partnership with Tilak, and really enjoyed playing the game today," Samson said in post-match interview.

Emphasising the importance of adapting to conditions, Samson noted that years of IPL and international cricket had taught him patience and timing. He added that such close games test character and provide vital preparation ahead of the upcoming World Cup.