Manoj Tiwary questions India’s think tank for changing opening pair in Asia Cup

Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary has questioned India’s team management for changing the opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma in the ongoing Asia Cup despite the duo’s consistent performances. As Shubman Gill has been appointed as India’s vice-captain, he has taken the opening slot with Abhishek Sharma, whereas Samson has been pushed down in the middle order.

While Tiwary noted that Gill has done a fine job as an opener in IPL 2025 for Gujarat Titans, but Samson is a bit unfortunate to lose out on his preferred place. 

Gill had scored 650 runs in 15 matches of IPL 2025 at an impressive strike rate of 155.87. Tiwary feels head coach Gautam Gambhir needs a captain who listens to him.

“Shubman Gill is equally good, he has done that, and shown that in the IPL as well. He has been outstanding in the IPL, he has been a good captain in the IPL, where he has taken more responsibility, and the role has been given to him,” Tiwary said in an interview with Inside Sport.

“But, you have to see that before Gill was in the squad, in Zimbabwe we saw Abhishek Sharma and Samson, we then saw them producing starts against Bangladesh, which we never imagined as a cricket fan. Team India had never shown that kind of approach in a T20 game. So, when these two individuals have given you the performances and the starts, they both have been superb, they have scored hundreds, then why do you want to change that up here and bring Shubman Gill? The reasons are well known, it’s an open secret that he wants a captain who wants to listen to him,” he added.

Samson was in fine form in the ongoing Kerala Cricket League as he has scored 368 runs in five innings at an average of 73.60 and a strike rate of 186.80 while leading Kochi Blue Tigers. The right-hander has better numbers in the top order but he would now need to deliver as a finisher.

India will next take on Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Friday.