Watch- Sanju Samson openly caught bribing Gautam Gambhir
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Discussions continue between Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson and Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, as tensions rise around Samson's spot in the Indian batting order.
India has arrived in the United Arab Emirates and has begun with their preparations for the Asia Cup 2025 at the ICC Academy in Dubai. This marked the first practice sessions for the full Indian squad, while the other nations began preparations much earlier.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are playing in a tri-series alongside the UAE, and Sri Lanka is playing T20s against Zimbabwe, while Bangladesh is playing against the Netherlands. India has, however, just arrived and is still the favourite to win the title.
Sanju Samson spotted alongside Gautam Gambhir post India's first practice session in Dubai
India's first practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai was held as per schedule on the 5th of September, as the players toiled hard from around 5 pm to 9 pm. They trained under the lights, and no dew factor has been reported until now.
At the end of the intense session on Day 1, glimpses of Sanju Samson, the opening wicket-keeper batsman, having a broad discussion with Gautam Gambhir were caught on camera. Unlike the Champions Trophy, when people had overcrowded the zone, fewer yet several young fans came in to witness their favorite cricketers in action.
During the Indian team's departure, Gautam Gambhir was seen walking back alongside Sanju Samson to the team bus, as the two were involved in an intense chat and even ignored the calls from their fans.
Discussion on between Sanju Samson & Gautam Gambhir as they exit together post training session in Dubai 👀
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) September 6, 2025
Would you have Sanju open, at no.3 or no. 6? #SportsYaari @YaariSports pic.twitter.com/An39UuAHjH
Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya acknowledge young Indian fans
As the Indian players advanced to make their way back to the Team hotel, several young fans, especially those who look at these players as their heroes, were spotted waiting and cheering for the Men in Blue outside the ICC Academy.
Though they called out for many players, only a handful of them responded. The first of them to respond was veteran Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who interacted with his fans and signed on the bats of several young children.
He was followed by Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma, who also gave their autographs while they signed in the Indian squad template brought in by a young fan. So did Hardik Pandya, when he was seen in his new blonde hair look.
SKY hints towards Jitesh being in plans for a playing XI spot
There has been buzz building around Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma, and debates have not been able to decide who should be picked over the other. However, skipper Suryakumar has dropped a slight hint towards the lineup.
A young fan who seemingly was a big Suryakumar fanboy wished luck to the batsman and said he would want to see him get to a hundred in this Asia Cup. This was when SKY giggled and said, "Isko bhi bolo (Wish him as well)," pointing towards Jitesh Sharma.
This has indicated slightly towards the Indian captaincy, considering having Jitesh Sharma in the playing XI; however, nothing has been said on Sanju Samson's spot.
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