India will open their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against the UAE on September 10.
Ahead of the tournament, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has advised the team management to let Sanju Samson play as an opener, while fielding vice-captain Shubman Gill at a different batting position.
Last year, Samson smashed three T20I centuries while opening the innings. He looked in great touch during the Kerala Cricket League 2025. After starting the tournament batting lower down the order, the right-hander returned to the opening position and registered scores of 13, 121, 89, 62, and 83.
While Samson has impressive numbers at the top of the order, they drop significantly when batting in other positions. However, Gill’s return to the T20I fold as deputy has raised questions about whether the wicketkeeper-batter will resume his preferred role alongside Abhishek Sharma.
"He [Samson] is most dangerous in the top three. That's where he wins you matches. He should be left there. It [replacing Samson for Gill] won't be that easy. Samson has a strong record for India at the top in T20s. Even Gill will find it tough to displace him. Gill may come in for someone else, but Samson should be left alone as opener," Shastri said during a media interaction recently.
"Samson should continue playing the way he has for India in T20s. He has been consistent at the top with big runs and hundreds," he added.
Shastri believes the conditions in Dubai will assist spinners. The Indian squad features experienced spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel, with Washington Sundar in the reserves.
"Given the conditions in Dubai and the heat, spin will definitely be the flavour of the month. Teams like Afghanistan might even play four spinners. Whether it's two or three, it depends on balance, but spinners will certainly be in big demand in Dubai. You need both finger spin and wrist spin. India has that luxury, and they'll all come into play depending on conditions," he remarked.
India will open their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against the UAE on September 10, followed by the marquee clash with Pakistan on September 14 and a group-stage fixture versus Oman on September 19. The playoffs begin on September 20.
India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Stand-bys: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal