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"Sanju Samson ke jage KL Rahul banta hain": Shoaib Akhtar on India's selection blunder

Akshita Patel

Sanju Samson called weak by Shoaib Akhtar [Source: @ImMD45, @HardCricketpix/X.com]Sanju Samson called weak by Shoaib Akhtar [Source: @ImMD45, @HardCricketpix/X.com]

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has stirred up debate by questioning Sanju Samson’s place in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. After India’s close win over Pakistan on September 21, Akhtar openly called Samson the “weak link” in the team and suggested that KL Rahul should have been selected instead.

Samson, who scored 3 T20I centuries as an opener in 2024, has been pushed into a new middle-order role in this tournament. But against Pakistan, he failed to make an impact, scoring only 13 runs off 17 balls before Haris Rauf dismissed him in the 17th over. 

Shoaib Akhtar calls Sanju Samson a ‘weak link’

Though India eventually won the game by 6 wickets, Samson’s lean patch throughout the Asia Cup 2025 has raised debate over his role in the team.

Speaking on Pakistan’s TV show ‘Game On Hai’, Shoaib Akhtar called Sanju Samson a weak link, suggesting that KL Rahul should’ve played ahead of him in the Asia Cup 2025. 

Akhtar added that had Rahul been in the team, India would’ve won the game much earlier against Pakistan, as KL would likely have played at a better strike rate.

“Imagine iss team mein KL Rahul nahi hain. Sanju Samson ke jage KL Rahul banta hain. Woh toh nahi hain. Patake deta hain, chipka ke.. sahi kisam ke. Toh yeh weak link tha apka Sanju Samson. Match ek over pehle gaya. Otherwise toh match itna late jan hi nahi tha. Abhishek rehta toh, shayad yeh match paach over pehle khatam kar deta,” Akhtar said.

Sanju Samson’s move to the middle order has raised questions. Traditionally, he has played in the top order for both India and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, where he has found success. 

However, with Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma firing at the top and captain Suryakumar Yadav steady at no. 3, the management has asked Samson to fill the no. 5 slot.

Sanju Samson’s Asia Cup 2025 stats

Since being moved to no.5 in the batting order, Sanju Samson managed to get a chance to bat in only 2 innings. He scored 69 runs combined with a 34.50 average and 111.29 strike rate.

However, against Bangladesh, Samson was mysteriously held back until no.8 and didn’t get an opportunity to bat at all.