Gautam Gambhir gives mixed signals to Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma for Asia Cup 2025 Playing XI

Dubai’s ICC Academy became the center of attraction on Sunday, September 8, as the third practice session of the India National Cricket Team ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup took an unexpected turn. Sanju Samson had barely practiced wicketkeeping in the first two sessions in Dubai, but he was seen having an intense discussion with Gautam Gambhir on the third day at the nets.

Samson arrived early and got straight into wicketkeeping drills on Sunday, and left everyone wondering if the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management are giving the Kerala star a real shot at the playing XI in their Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE.

Sanju Samson’s practice session sparks selection storm ahead of IND vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 clash

As reported by Sports Yaari, Samson was seen wearing wicketkeeping gloves and training hard under the watch of fielding coach T. Dilip for the first time in the practice sessions on Sunday in Dubai.

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Sanju Samson with the wicketkeeping gloves on
First one to the net area pic.twitter.com/ugbLDLd1x0

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) September 8, 2025

The Indian wicketkeeper-batter spent around 15 to 20 minutes going through various drills—from catching low balls to high catches and quick reflexes.

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His sudden focus on wicketkeeping has reignited debates about whether Samson is being seriously considered over Jitesh Sharma for the job behind the gloves in the playing XI. Even Gambhir was personally seen interacting with Samson after the drills.

Gautam Gambhir’s special attention to Sanju Samson hints at the Playing XI selection

They had a long conversation on batting techniques and wicketkeeping skills. The Indian head coach has given inputs to Samson on shots and catching drills, which is now a clear hint that the team management might be preparing him for the keeper’s role in the Playing XI.

Not just that, the right-handed batter later picked up his bat and did some serious hitting after the wicketkeeping skills. Earlier, Jitesh Sharma was seen doing the wicketkeeping skills at the ICC Academy, putting Samson’s position in doubt. But now it seems that Gambhir is backing Sanju.

"GAMBHIR x SANJU 🔥 | Asia Cup Playing XI mein Samson ki Entry Confirmed? 🤔 | Exclusive Report 🏏"#SanjuSamson #AsiaCup2025 #gautamgambhir

Reports @lakshit1601 from Dubai pic.twitter.com/GE4lU1MNEn

— Sports Yaari (@YaariSports) September 8, 2025

Sanju Samson-Jitesh Sharma battle peaks ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Later in the session, Jitesh Sharma was also seen practicing the wicketkeeping on Sunday, but the early focus on Sanju Samson can’t be ignored. Sanju, being the first to the nets and the first to train in gloves, sends a strong message that Gambhir is keeping its options open.

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If Samson makes it into the playing XI as the wicketkeeper-batter, it could shake up the team’s lineup. Top-order players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma may have to adjust their positions, as Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, and Abhishek Sharma are the front-runners for the top three positions.

After batting for almost 80 minutes- Its time to do some keeping #Jiteshsharma
Sanju started batting now #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/UjGzR5I5qY

— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) September 8, 2025

Now, it remains to be seen who will get the gloves in India’s first game in the Asia Cup 2025 against the UAE on Wednesday, September 10, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Dubai will host the much-awaited India-Pakistan clash on September 14, followed by their final group match with Oman on September 19.

The top teams from each group will make it to the Super Fours. India features in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B has Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong in the Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9.