Asia Cup 2025: Sanju Samson's position in Team India decided
Published - 28 Aug 2025, 01:59 PM | Updated - 28 Aug 2025, 02:00 PM
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Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been selected for the Asia Cup 2025, but there is a big question mark on his batting position. With Shubman Gill making a comeback and being handed the vice-captaincy of India’s T20I team, it remains a mystery who will be the openers.
Samson, who has been a consistent part of India’s T20I setup under Gautam Gambhir, now faces the challenge of retaining his position as an opener after Shubman Gill’s return to the setup. For the past year, Samson has been opening with Abhishek Sharma in the format.
Sanju Samson’s opening slot in doubt after Shubman Gill’s comeback
But now that Sanju, Gill, and Abhishek are named in the Asia Cup 2025 squad, one of them will have to bat in the middle or lower order in the continental tournament. Many believe that Gill’s return almost guarantees him the opener’s slot, which may force Samson to shift down the order.
Despite the buzz over the Indian wicketkeeper’s position in the playing XI, Sanju Samson’s longtime mentor and coach Raiphi Gomez isn’t worried at all. He has full faith in the Kerala star’s adaptability, saying Samson’s flexibility allows him to bat at any position.
Sanju Samson is ready for any role in the Asia Cup 2025
Raiphi Gomez was quoted as saying by The Telegraph: “Being a professional and internationally established player, Sanju is flexible enough to make the adjustments if he has to bat down the order. His flexibility is what guides him, and he is very confident about his abilities.”
The coach also insisted that the chatter around his batting position hasn’t distracted Samson at all. Gomez has made it clear that the 30-year-old cricketer is not paying much attention to the outside opinions or pressure but is instead focused only on delivering for the Men in Blue.
Gomez further added, “Has Sanju said anything about being under pressure? No. So, it’s all outside noise, and we are not really concerned about what is being said outside. Our focus is on making sure Sanju keeps getting better with the bat. He is only concerned about the job he needs to do for India.”
Sanju Samson silences doubts with KCL heroics
Earlier this year, questions were raised after the right-handed batter struggled against England’s fiery pace attack in the T20I series at home earlier this year. Then, the injury cut short Samson’s campaign in the IPL 2025, where he struggled for consistency, raising doubts over his future in India.
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But Samson worked hard at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, dedicating time to not just regaining full fitness but also fine-tuning his batting. And the results are beginning to show as he finds his flow again in the Kerala Cricket League, where he smashed a record-breaking century.
Raiphi Gomez backs Sanju Samson to shine at Asia Cup 2025
Well, Samson’s mentor Raiphi Gomez believes that the Kerala star’s difficult phase has passed, and he is now mentally and physically sharper than before to take on the fresh challenges and ready to deliver wherever India needs him at the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.
Gomez signed off by saying, “What happened in the England T20Is is part and parcel of the game, which every cricketer goes through. Then, after the injury during the IPL, he spent the necessary time at the BCCI Centre of Excellence to regain fitness, and now, he appears well placed rhythm-wise, playing in these KCL matches.”
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