Sanju Samson's Consistent Run in Playing XI – A Logical Choice for Asia Cup 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 is just around the corner, and the Indian cricket team is gearing up for a strong performance. With Sanju Samson's exceptional skills and talent, the question on everyone's mind is whether he will finally get a consistent run in the playing XI. Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that the answer should be a resounding yes, citing Samson's calibre as the reason. Gavaskar thinks that Samson can slot in at No.3 or lower down as a finisher, making him an ideal candidate for the team.

Key Takeaways:

• Sunil Gavaskar believes that Sanju Samson should be playing in the XI due to his calibre and talent.
• Gavaskar suggests that Samson can slot in at No.3 or lower down as a finisher, providing flexibility to the team.
• The team management will have a tough call to make in the middle order with players like Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Jitesh Sharma, and Tilak Varma.
• Gavaskar thinks that Tilak Varma might be pushed down the order to take on the finisher's role, creating an opening at No.3 for Samson.
• The team is expected to go in with a six-bowler strategy, with a mix of three pacers, two spinners, and Hardik Pandya.
• Gavaskar prefers Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel as the spin duo, and Harshit Rana as a valuable addition to the attack.
• Gavaskar dismisses concerns about workload management regarding Jasprit Bumrah, citing the short bursts typical in T20s and Bumrah's fitness and skill.

Statistics:

• India's death bowling will have a different look this time around with the inclusion of Rashid Khan and the return of Jasprit Bumrah.
• Sanju Samson has scored 545 runs in 24 T20 games with an average of 25.71.
• Jitesh Sharma has established himself as a finisher with 214 runs in 12 T20 games at an average of 17.83.

Sources:

• "Sunil Gavaskar backs Sanju Samson for consistent run" published in Hindustan Times on 2 September 2023.