Team India Opener in Asia Cup: As the countdown to Asia Cup 2025 intensifies, former captain Ajinkya Rahane has shared his insights into the likely opening combinations.
According to him, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are poised to open for India, leaving Sanju Samson potentially on the sidelines.For quite some time, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have been the preferred opening pair in India’s T20 setups, delivering notable performances in recent series.
The inclusion of Gill in the squad, with the added responsibility of vice-captaincy, makes the scenario even more intriguing. Gill’s role as an opener seems almost certain, but the burning question remains who will sit out between Samson and Sharma?
Sanju Samson Likely to Miss Out
Ajinkya Rahane, who has experienced captaincy himself, shared his perspective on his YouTube channel, emphasizing that Sanju Samson might have to watch from the sidelines in this tournament.
Rahane explained, “Shubman has made a strong comeback, and I believe he will open alongside Abhishek Sharma. Personally, I want to see Sanju in the playing XI because he has performed well and exudes confidence. He’s a fantastic team player, and that’s crucial.”
He further elaborated, “Sanju is undoubtedly a talented cricketer and a great team man, but from a management perspective, it’s a tough decision. I think he might have to settle for a spot on the bench. That said, I sincerely hope he gets his chance to play, but the starting line-up will probably see Gill and Sharma opening the batting.”
A Struggling Record Against England
Sanju Samson’s recent form has been a concern. During the England series in January and February, he struggled to make an impact scoring just 51 runs across five matches.
Prior to that, during South Africa’s tour, he had registered two centuries in four matches but also had two innings where he failed to open his account.
Over his 42 match T20 International career, Samson has amassed 861 runs, including three centuries, with a batting average of 25 and a strike rate of 152 numbers that highlight both his potential and inconsistency.
On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma has shown glimpses of promise. In 16 T20I innings, he averages 33 at a strike rate of 194, accumulating 535 runs, including two centuries. Notably, Abhishek’s record includes India’s highest individual T20 score of 135, a feat that underscores his explosive ability at the crease.
Shubman Gill, the newest addition to the mix, has had a somewhat modest T20I record 21 matches, 578 runs at an average of 30, with a strike rate of 139.
He has hit three fifties and a century, including a notable 50 against Zimbabwe. However, he’s also had his share of struggles, with ten single digit dismissals in 21 innings.
As the Asia Cup approaches, the cricketing world waits with bated breath to see who will don the opening duties for Team India.
Will it be the experienced Samson, the flamboyant Abhishek Sharma, or the promising Gill? One thing is certain every decision is a delicate balancing act, charged with emotion and the hunger for victory.
