Asia Cup 2025 | ‘I’m Sanju Mohanlal Samson’: Sanju Samson on taking up different roles for Team India

Sanju Samson and Mohanlal. Pics/AFP, PTI

India's wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been moved around the batting order throughout the ongoing Asia Cup in UAE. After not getting to bat in the first two matches, the right-handed batter was promoted to No. 3 against Oman, where he struck a 45-ball 56. Then, in the first Super 4s game against Pakistan, he was slotted down to No. 5 and managed just 13, while against Bangladesh on Wednesday, he wasn't sent out to bat at all despite India using batters till No. 7.

When asked by commentator and former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar what he feels about being shuffled up and down the batting order, Samson gave a cheeky response, referring to Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal, who was recently honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

"Our Mohanlal, you know the actor from Kerala, he was recently given one of the country's highest recognitions. He has been entertaining audiences through cinema for nearly four decades with different roles. [Similarly] I have been playing for India for almost 10 years now. I can't restrict myself to being just the hero. At times, I must take up different roles, be it a villain, a joker, or anything the team needs. I can be a good villain too. So I am Sanju Mohanlal Samson," said Samson as both broke into a laugh.

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