Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has backed Sanju Samson ahead of Jitesh Sharma in the upcoming Asia Cup. Gavaskar reckons Samson can either bat at one drop or play as a finisher in the playing XI. After Shubman Gill was appointed as India’s T20I vice-captain, there have been doubts raised about Samson’s selection in the final XI.
The Kerala batter has scored three T20I centuries in the last 12 matches but he could only manage 51 runs in five games against England in 2025 as he was troubled by short-pitched deliveries.
Samson has been 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.
Sunil Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network, “It’s a very good headache to have for any selection committee that you have two capable batters and somebody like Sanju Samson who can maybe even bat at three, and if needed come down at six as a finisher. Jitesh has also done well in the recently concluded IPL. But my feeling is that Samson will probably get the nod.”
On the other hand, Gavaskar backed Gill’s inclusion in the T20I after the right-hander scored 650 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 155.87 while leading the Gujarat Titans.
“Looking at the way he batted in this T20 format in the IPL, it was a no-brainer. He has been very successful in the T20 format for the IPL so there is no question that he has got the capability of doing well in T20. In the kind of form that he is in where he has scored more than 750 runs in the just concluded Test series, that really augurs well even for the T20 tournament,” he stated.
The former Indian opener added he would be surprised if India doesn’t win all of their matches comfortably in the continental tournament.
“I really will be surprised if India doesn’t win their matches comfortably. All their matches, not just against Pakistan, but even against Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. If they don’t win comfortably, it will be a bit of a surprise. Because the Indian team really has, over the last couple of years, been a really superb team, in great touch and great form,” said Gavaskar.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai.
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