With Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I fold as vice-captain, it will be interesting to see whether Sanju Samson continues to open the batting with Abhishek Sharma or not in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

While the wicketkeeper-batter has brilliant numbers at the top of the order, they fall considerably when batting in the middle order.

Last year, Samson smashed three T20I centuries while opening the innings. He has also been in great form in the Kerala Cricket League. 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.

However, former India cricketer Madan Lal has backed Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma as openers for the continental showpiece.

“I’m satisfied because it should have been done. Abhishek Sharma’s strike rate is more than 225, and Shubman Gill’s strike rate is more than 150. Opening is very important in T20Is. In the first six overs, the openers set the game. Then, after that, you have to ensure that your average is around 7, 8, or 9 and continue until the 14th or 16th over. In the last three to four overs, you have a big hitter like Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel," Lal was quoted as saying to ANI.

The Asia Cup 2025 will be held in UAE, where spinners are likely to play crucial roles. The Indian squad features experienced spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel, with Washington Sundar in the reserves.

Commenting on the spinners’ advantage, Lal said, “It’s very hot here. Spinner’s role will always be more crucial here. It’s very hot, but the thing is to get the breakthrough early on, and then the spinner comes in. We have the best spinner in the world. If we get a breakthrough in the beginning, then the spinners can be very lethal, and they can do a wonderful job. Spinners will play a big role. Afghanistan has four spinners and Pakistan has three. Most of the countries depend on the spinners."

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