Speaking about the diminishing chances of Sanju Samson's feature in the playing XI, Ashwin said that the matter is sealed as the board has already announced Gill as the vice-captain. Team India will kick off their campaign against the UAE on September 10
Ravichandran Ashwin (Pic: File Pic)
Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, former Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that Sanju Samson's place in the playing XI is in danger after the inclusion of Shubman Gill.
India's squad for the marquee event was announced on Tuesday, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the pack, and Shubman Gill appointed as his deputy.
The squad was announced during the press conference, which was attended by the skipper and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Speaking about the diminishing chances of Sanju Samson's feature in the playing XI, Ashwin said that the matter is sealed as the board has already announced Gill as the vice-captain.
"What will make me even more sad is that there are high chances that you have announced him as the vice-captain, so Sanju Samson's place is in a bit of danger. The matter is sealed. Sanju is not going to play because Shubman Gill will play. If you want to play Gill, you have to play him at three, and Sanju will open the batting, but that too is not going to happen," he said on his YouTube channel, 'Ash ki Baat'.
The former spinner then expressed happiness at including Jitesh Sharma in the squad for the continental event. He also recollected the names of the players who have been playing the role of finisher for Team India.
"I am very happy for Jitesh Sharma, a well-earned position for Jitesh Sharma. He played a clutch knock for RCB against LSG and played a vital hand for them. Always remember, who were India's best finishers? MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, sometimes. Then it has been Hardik Pandya, so finishing is not an easy job. You need to have the strength to finish," he said.
"In that regard, Jitesh Sharma, as a wicketkeeper-batter, has played roles in a very tough position. So I am very happy for him," said the 38-year-old.
Team India will kick off their campaign against the UAE on September 10, while the high-voltage game against Pakistan is scheduled for September 14, with both fixtures set to be played in Dubai. India will play their final group stage fixture against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
India's squad for Asia Cup 2025: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku SinghReserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
(With ANI Inputs)
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