{"id":11254,"date":"2025-09-11T02:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T02:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e2bangladesh.com\/?p=11254"},"modified":"2025-09-11T02:08:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T02:08:28","slug":"sanju-samson-breathes-relief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e2bangladesh.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/11\/sanju-samson-breathes-relief\/","title":{"rendered":"Sanju Samson Breathes Relief as Rare Prediction Comes True in India vs UAE Asia Cup Clash: \u201cWhy Would\u2026?\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

India vs UAE, Asia Cup 2025: As anticipated, Sanju Samson misses out on the playing XI, with Jitesh Sharma taking the wicketkeeping role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sanju Samson Retained in India\u2019s Asia Cup Playing XI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Sanju<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sanju Samson has been included in India\u2019s playing XI for the opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 against the United Arab Emirates. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma<\/a> will open the batting, while Tilak Varma is slated to bat at No. 4. Reports had suggested that Jitesh Sharma might replace Samson due to his middle-order experience and his explosive IPL 2025 season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but the management chose continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Shubman Gill was named vice-captain for the Asia Cup, it was expected he would open alongside Abhishek, which complicated Samson\u2019s inclusion despite his impressive recent T20I performances. In 2024, Samson scored three T20I centuries \u2014 one against Bangladesh and two against South Africa \u2014 establishing himself as a strong opening partner for Abhishek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the lead-up to the tournament, Samson had limited net sessions, only batting after the frontline players, hinting at a possible preference for Jitesh. Even during the captain\u2019s press conference, skipper Suryakumar Yadav avoided a definitive answer on Samson\u2019s inclusion, stating the management would take \u201cgood care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, head coach Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar opted for continuity, retaining Samson in the XI. The spotlight now turns to how he will perform in the middle order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why fix something that isn’t broke?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before India\u2019s Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE, former India batter Robin Uthappa had predicted that Sanju Samson would be included in the playing XI, slotting in at No. 3. The prediction proved accurate as Samson retained his place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think he’ll be at No.3. He will keep. One thing that we know Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav have done since they have taken over the T20I side, they have used the left-right combination quite heavily,\u201d<\/em> said Uthappa on Sony Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added, \u201cBoth captain and coach have stated there is no fixed batting order in the shortest format. It’s very similar to how Gauti led KKR. Why would you move away from something that has worked in the past?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the playing XI, Shivam Dube was preferred over Rinku Singh. Jasprit Bumrah is India\u2019s lone frontline pacer, supported by Hardik Pandya. The spin attack features Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel. Captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bowl after winning the toss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

India Playing XI:<\/strong> Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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