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India's Sanju Samson walks off the field after losing his wicket during the first T20 cricket match between India and England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo)
With the much-hyped 2025 Asia Cup cricket tournament around the corner, the No. 3 spot for the Indian team still remains a question after the inclusion of Test skipper Shubman Gill in the side. Gill has also been appointed the deputy of Suryakumar Yadav in the T20I cricket, meaning he will walk into the team right away. Gill will presumably get his preferred opening slot and will be paired up with his childhood friend and Punjab teammate Abhishek Sharma up top. Sanju Samson, who opened with Abhishek in the recent T20I series, will need to leave his spot.
The Suryakumar-Gautam Gambhir duo will need to ponder the playing XI and look into the combinations ahead of the continental event. Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif feels India’s best bet to tackle spin-heavy Afghanistan — who have the most successful T20 bowler Rashid Khan with him — will be Samson. Kaif said Samson has stepped up his game in South Africa and pointed out his consistency in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“He is among the top 10 six-hitters in the IPL. That’s why I believe when Rashid Khan comes to bowl in the middle overs, there cannot be a better player against him than Sanju, as he can hit sixes down the ground,” said Kaif on his YouTube channel.
“South Africa has one of the toughest conditions for batting, and he has hit two centuries as an opener there. He plays both pace and spin well, and in the IPL, he scores 400-500 runs every year,” he added.
‘Tilak Verma can wait’
Kaif also said World No. 2 T20I batter Tilak Varma — who has been very successful ever since he took the No. 3 spot from Suryakumar Yadav in the South Africa tour — is a youngster and can wait for his opportunity. While Samson should be in the playing XI since the T20 World Cup is not too far away.
“Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will open (in the Asia Cup). For the No. 3 spot, I feel Tilak Varma is a youngster and can wait for his turn. Sanju is an experienced batter, and he could be groomed by giving him consistent opportunities at No. 3. There is a World Cup after six months, and he deserves a chance,” said Kaif.
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