Sanju Samson’s Asia Cup spot under scrutiny as Shubman Gill’s form sparks debate; Aakash Chopra cautions against dropping him.
Sanju Samson Faces Asia Cup Selection Dilemma
Sanju Samson has become the center of discussion in Indian cricket. On one hand, speculation surrounds his next IPL franchise after reports suggest he informed Rajasthan Royals of his desire to part ways ahead of the 2026 season. On the other, he finds himself amid selection debates for the upcoming Asia Cup, with the T20I squad set to be announced Tuesday in Mumbai.
Samson, who has scored three centuries in his last 12 T20Is as an opener, would seem a certain pick. However, Shubman Gill’s recent Test series form against England has reignited calls for his inclusion. With both being top-order batters, Samson could be pushed down the order or even left out—a situation former India cricketer Aakash Chopra warned “would not be a good story” for the Kerala star.
Chopra explained on his YouTube channel: “It is important to keep another opener with you. If Shubman Gill is the third opener, do you want to make him sit on the bench? If you don’t and play him in the XI, in whose place? If it’s Sanju Samson, who will keep? You don’t see Samson in the middle order. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will play three and four. Sanju at five? That would not be a good story.”
Third Opener Debate: Sanju Samson’s Spot Could Be at Risk
Former Indian batter Chopra explained that if a third opener is added to the team, it would likely come at the expense of Sanju Samson, not Abhishek Sharma. Samson, a standout performer for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the home series against England, scored 279 runs in five matches at a striking 219.68 strike rate.
Chopra highlighted that moving Samson from the opening slot would undermine India’s recent investment in him. “If the third opener plays, he cannot replace Abhishek Sharma. He will play instead of Sanju Samson, and you won’t see Samson in the middle order. Then it feels like the investment over the last 12 matches is wasted,” he said.
The former batter also questioned Shubman Gill’s fit in a destructive batting setup compared to Yashasvi Jaiswal. “If you want a destructive team, can Shubman Gill fit into that DNA? That’s the big question. Yashasvi Jaiswal can definitely be part of it, but are they thinking about Yashasvi?” Chopra added.