Before the tournament began, there was considerable uncertainty over whether Samson would make the playing XI, particularly with Jitesh Sharma also vying for the wicketkeeping role. Jitesh’s profile as a lower-order finisher made him an attractive pick, especially if the team wanted more flexibility
Sanju Samson (PIc: AFP)
India’s playing XI in their Asia Cup 2025 opener against UAE offered clarity on several debated selection calls, most notably, the inclusion of Sanju Samson as the designated wicketkeeper-batter.
With Shubman Gill returning to the T20I setup after a year-long stint focusing on Test and ODI formats, many questioned whether there would be space for Samson in the top or middle order. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav slotted Gill at the top of the order alongside the explosive Abhishek Sharma, while trusting Samson to anchor the middle.
Before the tournament began, there was considerable uncertainty over whether Samson would make the playing XI, particularly with Jitesh Sharma also vying for the wicketkeeping role. Jitesh’s profile as a lower-order finisher made him an attractive pick, especially if the team wanted more flexibility.
But the Indian management, under head coach Gautam Gambhir, made a firm call. With Samson in red-hot touch in domestic and international T20s, India chose to invest in consistency rather than experimentation.
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of the UAE match, shed light on the team’s mindset. According to Ashwin, during a recent interview, Samson revealed a conversation with Gambhir, in which the coach assured him unwavering support.
"This is project Sanju Samson," Ashwin said. "When I interviewed him, he revealed that Gautam Gambhir told him that even if he makes 21 ducks, he will be picked for the 22nd game."
Such backing, rare in India’s high-pressure cricketing ecosystem, seems to have given Samson the confidence to play his natural game, and the numbers speak for themselves.
The 30-year-old has been in sublime touch, especially in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL), where he amassed 368 runs in 5 innings at an average of 73.60 and a strike rate of 186.80.
Since being promoted to open in T20Is by Suryakumar Yadav in October 2024 against Bangladesh, Samson has racked up three centuries in 12 innings, averaging 37.90.
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