Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has predicted that Sanju Samson might bat in the top order against Oman in the last Group A fixture of the Asia Cup. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma had opened the innings for India in the first two matches of the continental tournament against the UAE and Pakistan.
Samson, who has been preferred ahead of Jitesh Sharma, hasn’t yet got a chance to bat in the ongoing Asia Cup. The right-hander could only manage 51 runs in five games against England in 2025 as he was troubled by short-pitched deliveries.
However, 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.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Sanjay Bangar said, “They will stick to the top four, and after that, you might not witness Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson might come ahead because Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya haven’t had the chance to bat so far.”
“I think they will stick with the same batting till No. 4 because Shubman Gill hasn’t scored big in the first matches. And Tilak got an opportunity in one match.”
On the other hand, former all-rounder said India will definitely think about batting first against Oman after they fielded first against UAE and then Pakistan decided to bat first against the Men in Blue.
“Yes, India will definitely think about batting first. Try to bat first and give your batters an opportunity because the way they [India] have gotten starts by Abhishek Sharma in both matches… Suryakumar Yadav has batted well, but other batters haven’t got many opportunities.”
“I think if India wins the toss, then they will surely want to bat first. It’s also because the bowlers will get an experience that if there is dew, then they have to bowl with the dew, which can be a factor in the upcoming matches,” he added.
India will next take on Oman in their last Group A fixture at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Friday.
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